Prostate Cancer, Then Tumors in the Pancreas and Liver

Reader Question

My best friend was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 8. The vets suggested a poor prognosis and warned us the course of the disease would result in death within six months to a year. Very odd, but he had no further symptoms usually associated with this kind of carcinoma. Periodic check-ups were promising and the vets soon began to believe the original diagnosis was wrong.

About 3 months ago we noticed his lower abdomen seemed to be somewhat extended. We did not associate this with the cancer, but rather with overeating. He became however prone to have fluctuating cycles of constipation to very loose bowel movements. Still he was alert, happy, playful and seemingly without pain.

About a month ago, he began to stop eating, began losing weight, drank huge amounts of water and very frequent urination.

Initial blood tests showed highly elevated blood sugar (500-600) and there was very little effect of insulin injections. Further tests indicated issues with his liver and pancreas. An ultrasound was performed and multiple tumors in his pancreas and a large tumor in his liver. The prostate seemed somewhat normal, although enlarged.

Two weeks ago my buddy started going downhill quickly and the physicians advised that the end was approaching. He was,despite the serious issues, free of pain, alert and happy.

We had him put down two weeks ago and a necropsy was performed. The tumor in his liver was so large it had doubled over itself, increased the size of his liver three times normal and was putting pressure on his stomach. His pancreas had many tumors but other than a large lawyer of fat, his prostate was relatively normal.

Canine prostate cancer is obviously very agressive and I feel for every dog lover who has to go through this terrible ordeal.

Answer from Our Team