Urinary Bladder Cancer in Dogs

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a soft-tissue sarcoma which forms near the region of the bladder known as the trigone. In some cases, the tumor can occur on the wall of the bladder. The mass appears as a cluster of round bulges (similar in appearance to a cluster of grapes) and can force itself into the bladder and fill up the urethra. This type of cancer is rare and can occur in dogs that are large breed and young in age.

Urinary bladder cancer, also called rhabdomyosarcoma, is a type of cancer found in the muscle walls of the bladder or the trigone. While this cancer is very rare, it has a good prognosis if diagnosed in the early stages and treated accordingly.

Signs of urinary bladder cancer are sometimes confused with a kidney or urinary tract infection. It takes a veterinary exam to rule out any type of infection before giving the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. Clinical symptoms include:

• Straining to urinate
• Urinating frequently with little flow
• Blood in the urine
• Blocked urethra
• Malaise or restlessness
• Lameness

Types

The tumors of botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma can be found in two different places, depending on the dog and, at times, the breed of the dog. Certain breeds are more susceptible to others in terms of characteristics of tumors, such as size and location.

• Urinary bladder cancer, or botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma, is usually found near the trigone. The trigone is the smooth region inside the bladder, shaped like a triangle. Many of the tumors are located close to the trigone.
• In some cases, the tumors can be located on the urinary bladder wall. This area is not connected with the trigone.

Urinary Bladder Cancer (Rhabdomyosarcoma) in Dogs is quite rare, with only one-percent of canines being diagnosed with this type of cancer. There is still much research being conducted on rhabdomyosarcoma in canines. This soft-tissue cancer can be caused by:

• Genetics
• Wastewater parasites
• Trauma to the muscle
• Foreign bodies
• Orthopedic implants

If you suspect your companion may have bladder cancer, track the symptoms. If your canine has trouble urinating, acts as if he is in pain, has blood in the urine, or any of the other signs listed above, immediately call your veterinarian. If you are able to do so, collecting a urine sample may help the veterinarian do preliminary testing on the specimen, but may not be necessary. The veterinarian will tell you what to do if anything needs to be done before the appointment.

To diagnose the issue, the veterinarian will conduct a physical examination that will include complete blood work, rectal examination, complete urinalysis with a urine culture, a serum biochemistry profile, electromagnetic radiation imaging of the thorax, abdomen, and bladder. The veterinarian will be looking for specific signs of the cancer, such as a thickened wall of the muscle in the urethra or trigone bladder region, enlarged lymph nodes, or any mass in the bladder. The veterinarian will also check for a bladder that is distended.

The veterinarian will be very careful during the diagnosis to prevent the tumor (if present) from seeding. He will use a carefully inserted catheter to collect the urine if it cannot be collected freely.

There are several different modes of treatment for urinary bladder cancer in dogs. 

Emergency Surgery

• The location of the trigone and lesions on the urethra prevent surgery from being performed successfully. Surgery is only used for emergency treatment, such as in removing large tissues from any lesions or with an obstruction of the urinary tract.

Radiation

• Radiation can be used successfully in checking any tumor growth, but complications can arise. The dog can become incontinent, develop an inflammation of the bladder, and have even more difficulty in urinating. In some cases, though, radiation can be effective along with chemotherapy in the eradication of the tumors.

Chemotherapy

• With chemotherapy, the treatment and type of drugs are decided in accordance with the specific types of tumors, where they are located, the size, and of the course the stage of the cancer and if it has metastasized. With smaller lesions, chemotherapy can be effective and can lead to remission. This is if the cancer is caught in the early stages.

During chemotherapy, nutrition is vital to keeping the dog healthy and thriving. Your veterinarian will give you options and advice on nutrition to enable your loved one to react to the chemotherapy or other treatment in the most positive way possible.

The veterinarian will want to see the dog at regular intervals during treatment, and after treatment is complete. Having regular veterinary visits ensures the dog is doing well and if anything happens health wise, it can be addressed immediately, rather than waiting. Being proactive is important during and after treatment.

If this cancer is caught in the early stages, remission is quite possible. The outlook of this disease, after treatment, is considered good. With treatment, the dogs that have rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder can survive. About one-third of dogs diagnosed with this type of cancer succumb to the disease.