Exocrine pancreatic tumors arise from the enzyme-producing acinar cells or the duct epithelium of the pancreas, not from the islets. They are rare in dogs, but nearly all of them are carcinomas, and most have already spread by the time the dog is seen. The signs look like pancreatitis or any other vague gastrointestinal illness, which is exactly why the tumor is diagnosed late and why the NAVLE likes it as a "don't miss" differential.
Key facts
Exocrine pancreatic tumor at a glance- Species / system: Dog; exocrine pancreas (gastrointestinal/digestive).
- Types: Adenoma (benign, uncommon) and adenocarcinoma (malignant, the most common primary exocrine tumor). In dogs most carcinomas are acinar; ductal carcinoma is the usual type in people.
- Signalment: Older dogs of either sex; Airedale Terriers appear to be at increased risk in older reports.
- Classic presentation: An older dog with anorexia, lethargy, vomiting and cranial abdominal pain, sometimes jaundice, and a mass near the pancreas on ultrasound.
- Behavior: 78% of dogs had metastases at diagnosis in one series, most often liver and regional lymph nodes. Prognosis is grave.
- Not zoonotic or reportable.
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, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 8 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.