Interstitial cell tumor
Interstitial (Leydig) cell tumor are a testicular disease of dogs.
Testicular tumours in dogs have increased during the past 40 years, suggesting the possible causative role of environmental pollutants[2].
A relationship with retained testicle(s) such as cryptorchidism is present in the dog[3] and extratesticular locations in neutered dogs has been reported, though extremely rare[4].
Interstitial cell tumors are the most common testicular tumor in dogs and are found in the fibrovascular stroma of the testicle and produce testosterone[5]
Many interstitial cell tumors are non-metastatic but functional tumors are associated with prostatic disease and prostatic hyperplasia, circumanal gland hyperplasia and perianal tumors. Approximately half of affected dogs have both testes affected[6].
Clinical signs are often vague, but a scrotal or inguinal mass can often be palpated.
Diagnosis is based on physical examination, lateral abdominal radiograph, abdominal ultrasonography, histopathology of biopsies[7] or direct examination during exploratory celiotomy. Local and sublumbar lymph nodes should be investigated for metastasis. Ultrasound examination is a sensitive and relatively specific technique for the diagnosis of testicular tumors with interstitial cell tumors appearing as a well-circumscribed mass with predominantly hypoechoic and small hyperechoic areas.
A differential diagnosis would include seminoma, Sertoli cell tumor and feminizing syndrome. Any underlying prostatic disease must be excluded.
Treatment usually requires castration with resection of a large amount of the spermatic cord.
References
- ↑ Doxsee AL et al (2006) Extratesticular interstitial and Sertoli cell tumors in previously neutered dogs and cats: a report of 17 cases. Can Vet J 47(8):763-766
- ↑ Grieco V et al (2008) Canine testicular tumours: a study on 232 dogs. J Comp Pathol 138(2-3):86-89
- ↑ Owston MA & Ramos-Vara JA (2007) Histologic and immunohistochemical characterization of a testicular mixed germ cell sex cord-stromal tumor and a leydig cell tumor in a dog. Vet Pathol 44(6):936-943
- ↑ Doxsee AL et al (2006) Extratesticular interstitial and Sertoli cell tumors in previously neutered dogs and cats: a report of 17 cases. Can Vet J 47(8):763-766
- ↑ Papaioannou N et al (2009) Immunohistochemical expression of dog TERT in canine testicular tumours in relation to PCNA, ki67 and p53 expression. Vet Res Commun 33(8):905-919
- ↑ Kawakami E et al (2007) Testicular superoxide dismutase activity, heat shock protein 70 concentration and blood plasma inhibin-alpha concentration of dogs with a Sertoli cell tumor in a unilateral cryptorchid testis. J Vet Med Sci 69(12):1259-1262
- ↑ Masserdotti C et al (2005) Cytologic features of testicular tumours in dog. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med 52(7):339-346
