Urothelial carcinoma, still widely called transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), is the most common malignant tumour of the canine bladder and urethra. It usually arises in the trigone, invades the bladder wall, and causes signs that look exactly like a urinary tract infection, so diagnosis is often delayed. Because surgery is rarely curative, most dogs are managed medically with an NSAID, often combined with chemotherapy.
Key facts
Bladder tumor (urothelial/transitional cell carcinoma) at a glance- Species and system: dog; lower urinary tract (bladder, urethra, sometimes prostate and ureters).
- Tumour: invasive, usually high-grade urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma; about 2% of canine cancers.
- Who: older dogs (9 to 11 years), females more than males, Scottish Terriers far above other breeds.
- Classic presentation: hematuria, stranguria and pollakiuria that improve with antimicrobials and then return.
- Key test: BRAF V595E mutation in free-catch urine; a positive result is considered diagnostic.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 16 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.