Carcinoma of the Anal Sac, part 2
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: November 18th, 2019
In the last post, anal sac carcinoma was discussed, including diagnosing these malignant tumors in the dog. In this post, we will cover more on treatments and some data concerning outcomes.
If a guardian is coping with a diagnosis of canine anal sac carcinoma, often major questions arise soon after the news is received. Chemotherapy? Radiation? Diet? Supplements?
As a proponent of guardianship in dogs, my advice is always to get whatever data you can to use as rough guidelines for your particular dog. In this spirit, below is some information concerning survival statistics for dogs with anal gland carcinoma. Please remember that these numbers don’t apply to your dog necessarily, as they are calculated based on groups of different dogs.
One study showed the median survival time for dogs with treated tumors was 544 days overall. The upper limit of the range was up 1, 843 days! Those tumors that measured greater than or equal to 10 square cm was 292 days while those with smaller tumors had a median survival of 584 days. (A rough way for your vet to measure the square cm is to measure the radius of the tumor, square it, multiply this by 4, and multiply this by 3.14)
As to which treatment, it looks like the Big 3 conventional steps combined give the best survival chances. These are surgery, chemo and radiation. If you have to pick, go for the surgery as your minimum.
As usual, the additions of apoptogens, diet, immune support, anti-metastatic treatments, and life quality enhancement are a part of the Full Spectrum Plan provided in the Dog Cancer Survival Guide.
Best,
Dr D
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
My dog Reba had a high calcium level June 2011 after our vet performed a rectal and found a mass on her left anal gland we immediately went into surgery the next day our vet was confident he got it all. The lab report came back confirming an adenocarcinoma. She recovered wonderfully her calcium level went from 13 to 10.4 in 2 weeks we were so happy!! March 2012 during her annual we ran blood work which we do every 6 months and her calcium was back to 13 we followed that with another rectal exam which confirmed our fear the tumor was back! Back to surgery the next day it went well she recovered within a week. 2 weeks after the surgery we ran bloodwork to make sure calcium was down and it was 10 again we were so happy!!! 3 days ago Reba was having urinary issues so after running a urinalysis and a course of clavamox antibiotics. We were still having issues so we ran blood work now to remind you we had just ran blood work 4weeks ago with normal results, her calcium is now 16 and kidneys are failing this is after 2 surgeries the last being two months ago we are heartbroken because there is nothing we can do at this point she is a 9 yr old husky who we just had to put basically on hospice care.
Dear Chrystal,
so sorry!
This is a hard time. There are many good emotional management exercises that can help in the Guide, and also a whole slew of dietary and supplement steps that may be able to provide a little relief during this difficult.
Here is a post to get you started:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/analysis-paralysis-with-dog-cancer/
All my best
Dr D
We just received the bad news on our Kia – 13 yr old springer spaniel who was having problems pooping, finally a vet after 3rd rectal exam in a 2 week period, by a third vet, found the mass. Results from the asperation came back it’s malignant. We are taking her to board certified surgeon tomorrow. We have been through cancer with Kia before 5 yrs ago when she had her spleen removed for a grapefruit size sacroma on it. We never did chemo on her then – we changed her diet right away and put her on K-9 immunity – she did great – even though the vets told us without chemo she was only expected to survive less than a year. They still can’t believe she is alive today. Unfortunatly money got tight so we took her off the K-9 immunity after about 2 yrs post op. Now I wish we had never done that. I just rush overnight ordered a new supply – we are planning to do the surgery tomorrow to remove the tumor – her calcium levels were high in the blood work done on Tuesday, but other than that the vet said her blood and urinalysis was all normal, so that’s good. I know they are going to want to do an ultrasound, and x-ray to see if it has spread. If her blood work looks good I’m wondering if we can skip those very expensive tests and just hope it hasn’t spread and that if it has the K-9 immunity will do it’s job like it did the last time. Because honestly if it has spread, knowing it won’t change or deceision to do chemo or radiation. We do not plan on doing chemo or radiation, we didn’t the last time because her stress level is so high when she is at the vet we felt it was best to treat holistically and hope for the best – if she’s going to die – we want her to be as comfortable as possible. Has anyone found success with anal sac cancer treating it just with surgery and K-9 immunity? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Dear Tina
Sorry to hear this tough news.
I would discuss skipping the staging if you need to. You can only do what you can do.
A post for you:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/the-cost-of-my-dogs-life-part-1/
I would not rely solely on the K-9 immunity right now as your dog’s physiology has shifted into a pro-cancer state. I would suggest a much broader overall approach (more tools) such as diet, apoptogens, antimetastatics, and so on discussed in the Guide, along with a beta glucan supplement like K-9 Immunity. Details are in the Guide.
Best
Dr D
Jane, I am very interested to know how masitinib worked (or didn’t work) for your dog. I’d also be interested if anyone else has any experience using mastinib (kinavet) to treat anal sac cancer. My almost 14-yr-old female lab was on Palladia with good results for about a year, but it appears it has stopped working. We are considering starting masitinib to see if it helps, but our oncologist doesn’t know of any cases of masitinib being used to treat anal sac cancer. We previously did surgery to remove the anal sac and used mitoxantrone, but the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes by about 9 months after. We then tried carboplatin with very poor results. Then it was Palladia, which was really like a godsend for about a year; she had a little tummy upset and maybe some increased lameness, but the tummy issues weren’t as bad as on carboplatin or mitoxantrone. Palladia had worked so well for so long, I was really surprised to find out it was not working anymore. But, I am still grateful that my dog has made it through the past 2.5 years since her diagnosis considering it is such an aggressive cancer. I need to try out the cancer diet, but my dog has allergies, so we avoid chicken, pork, lamb, beef, corn, soy, and wheat. She has been eating venison or fish dog food and actual venison, when I can get it. Thank goodness it is almost deer season in Texas. I may have to take up hunting to feed my dog, at this rate!
Again, if Jane or anyone else has any experience using mastinib (kinavet) to treat anal sac cancer, please post! Many thanks, and good luck to everyone else dealing with this really nasty cancer.
Elaine,
I am sorry that I had not seen your post earlier. I certainly understand, as well as everyone on this posting, exactly what you are going through. This stuff is a very fast progressing type of cancer and can grow so quickly. This is probably why you found it and not someone else during a checkup or during grooming. I have a 10 year old beagle who had one removed that was large like your pet’s. I found her tumor myself. I took her in to see my vet and we went ahead and did surgery the next day. She did just great during surgery. When I picked her up, she came out walking quickly almost running, and was so ready to come home. She didn’t really seem to be in pain, although I did give her pain medication as directed. She experienced a little fecal incontinence for about 5 or 6 days after surgery. I used the disposable adult pads around the area she would lay in the house and used baby wipes to clean her up to keep her surgical site clean. After just a few days post-op, I started taking her out to her favorite places to walk to encourage her to continue her normal routine and I feel that this helped her regain muscle control. By her post-op check up one week later, she had mained all control of her bowel movements. She did great. As far as diagnostic tools, I had ultrasounds and x-rays persformed as well as blood work done to get a grasp of everything that was going on with her. This type of cancer releases a pseudo hormone that will make their calcium level skyrocket. Once the tumor was removed her calcium went to normal. So this is one thing that I am monitoring. No matter what you decide to do, there are many options that you can choose from or combine: surgery, chemo, radiation, diet change, supplements, and I am sure I am forgetting something. But basically you have to find what best for you and your pet. Dr. Dressler’s book helps you with this process. In my case, I did surgery and due to other things going on with my pet, I am unable to do any treatments other than diet change and supplements, which is a large contributor to fighting cancer alone. So in addition to this, I am treating her for her other issues. Dr. Dressler has a diet that really works well with my pet that you can find here: https://www.dogcancerblog.com/ in case you haven’t already stumbled on this. (Also read a few posts up and you will see where you can get his guide and supplements if you are interested.) I just want to wish you the best with your dog, and I hope everything works out well for you guys. And believe me, I am one that takes my pet every where with me traveling unless I have to fly. She is part of me and I certainly understand what you must be going through.
I just found a walnut sized rock hard tumor on my dogs right anal area. The vet took a needle aspiration and I will get the results in the next two days. I am brokenhearted just thinking about what is to come, he is a very happy 12 yr old poodle wheaton mix. My vet is not the vet I would have treat him or do surgery so I will be looking for someone who has expertise with this type of tumor. I live in Los Angeles, in the SIlverlake area, and would appreciate any oncology referrals. Being in the healthcare field myself and having read all of the poor stats about survival, surgery complications, and poor coutcomes I have great reservations about putting my dog through surgery. For those of you who did, was it worth it? How long was your dog in pain? Do you feel that their quality of life has improved? Are they able to have normal bowel movements without pain? I have so many fears and reservations and yet I want to act quickly in his best interest. I was feeling optomistic reading some of the surgery stories here. I will have lab work and xrays done this week to see if his kidneys are being affected and if it has spread – why my vet didn’t do those tests the same day that we found it (this past Saturday) I do not know. And I will tell you that I am also angry that being so dilligent and taking him in for check ups regularly and having his anal glands expressed every time he’s at the groomers – NO ONE felt this hard mass growning sooner!!? I found it by chance by lifting him onto the bed with my hand on his butt. I was shocked to feel something so hard and so ominous. What’s the point of regular check ups if a vet doesn’t put his hands all over your dog and feels for what is possible?? Weight and a temperature I can do on my own, I don’t need a doctor for that. And if a groomer is squeezing his anal sacs and feeling this and not mentioning it…… It’s just so sad….. I want to do whatever will give him the best quality of life for as long as I can.
Dr. Dressler,
I forgot to mention that the diet from your book has been a life saver for me. I had her on Hills Rx RD for weight control for the longest and then when all this occurred with the gallbladder and cancer, she stopped eating almost at once. I tried a few prescription diets and after a can or two, she wouldn’t touch it. I was getting very concerned because she had already lost about 3 pounds. I also bought about 20 different types of other dog food just trying to get her to eat, which never seemed to work. She turned down things that she would beg for in the past even tuna. If I got her to eat a cup of anything I was doing really good. I had already got your ebook so I decided to give your diet a try. So when I made it for the first time, I was so excited when she ate. It didn’t take long at all to prepare and I can make it within 5-10 minutes once I got the process down. Also, thank you for mentioning the Blue Baffalo grain free food. I bought some of that also and this is the only dog food that she will actually eat. So I give it to her occasionally as an alternative to use. So I feel like I have “struck gold” and wanted again to thank you for that material that you included in your book.
Thanks Susan and so glad to help!
D
Dr. Dressler,
Thank you for responding. We are currently monitoring all liver markers/enzymes, calcium as well as performing ultrasounds to check for changes in the gallbladder. I gave my vet a copy of the information on the apocaps. Thank you so much for your input. 🙂
Susan
My dog was diagnosed with a right anal sac tumor in January 2011. We removed the tumor and 4 enlarged lymph nodes. She mitoxantrone and carboplatin, alternating each of them for a total of 3 each (6 treatments total). The treatments were 3-4 weeks apart, depending on her white blood counts. She had no ill effects from chemo treatments. I have fed a raw diet to this dog since she was a puppy. I continued with the raw food during the treatments and increased the amounts of fish oil. She also received Artemisinin, OncoSupport, Maqui Select, and ImmPower supplements. I added ozone therapy on the weeks she didn’t have chemo. In addition, she has been on a homeopathic plan that includes Ruta grav., lycopodium, carcinocin, and cell salts.
Now that the initial chemo is over and my dog is still feeling really well, we have started Masitinib. I’m curious about anyone else’s experience with it as a preventive at this point. There were mixed reviews about Palladia, but Masitinib is supposed to be a safer option.
Thanks!
Dear Jane,
you may want to consider apoptogen supplements as well and some of the anti metastatics in the Guide like modified citrus pectin. Always work with your vet when making treatment changes-
Best
D
Dr. Dressler,
I have a question about APOCAPS. I have an almost 10 year old beagle who had an adenocarcinoma tumor removed surgically along with her right anal gland in June. The results are posted above but basically it looks like my vet got all of the tumor. There’s no evidence that she has any enlarged lymph nodes or any other tumors according to all the tests that we had performed. However, during the ultrasound they discovered that she has the early stages of mucocele gallbladder. Due to her age and a few other issues (gallbladder, cortical cysts in her kidney and on one side a slightly enlarged heart) we decided not to follow up the surgery with chemo. My vet consulted with another vet that specializes in the mucocele-type surgeries, and since she had two surgeries in the last four months and now a history of cancer, they both felt that at this time it was probably better to try to medically manage the gallbladder issues with actigall and denamarin first to see if can be turned around. In the interim, I have changed her to the cancer diet, vitamins, and of course lots of love. Once we started the medicine and new diet, she really seemed to perk up, so we do feel so far this is helping. So my question is, would you recommend giving apocaps to a dog that has gallbladder issues such as I have described above, or do you have any reservations? Thanks! Susan
Dear Susan,
if this were my patient, I would use apocaps but under supervision, monitoring liver markers, which would be a good idea regardless. I would start with 1/4 to 1/2 the labeled dose on the bottle, given with food. Remember to have your vet involved in any treatment decisions. I might also be considering anti metastatics discussed in the Guide (modified citrus pectin for example).
Hope this helps
Best, D
Hi Susan,
You may join artemisinin_and_cancer group in yahoo. The people there have been very helpful to me, I got my regimen there. Seems to be working very fine until now.
Good luck!
Casey