Diagnosing Pancreatic Cancer in Dogs
Is there any established protocol for diagnosing this disease? Should we get some confirmation from the lab? The ER Vet stated that the blood work they did should have shown the disease, at least to the extent that there was pancreatitis present. This specialist said that wasn't necessarily true because the paraphrasing amylase level wasn't definite through normal bloodwork. The internet seems to have different approaches to diagnosing this disease. It was almost impossible to see any true abnormality on ultrasound....The pancreas was depicted in the literature as globular in appearance, and appeared so on the U/S. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!
Jim
Pancreatic cancer is uncommon in dogs and hard to diagnose, because its signs (vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite and weight loss) overlap with pancreatitis, and routine blood tests can be normal or only mildly abnormal. The usual path is ultrasound, then a needle sample or biopsy, which is what your son's specialist did.
A needle sample showing cancer cells is good evidence, but inflammation can sometimes make pancreatic cells look abnormal, so a tissue biopsy is the most definitive test. If you want more certainty, it's reasonable to ask whether a biopsy, a second pathologist's review or a CT scan would change the treatment plan. Ask the specialist about staging, treatment and comfort options, since many pancreatic cancers have spread by the time they're found. We're sorry your family is going through this.
See cancer in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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