Canine Nasal Tumour

What is a nasal tumour?

A nasal tumour is an abnormal growth within the nasal cavity or surrounding sinuses. Most nasal tumours in dogs are malignant and locally invasive, which means they can damage nearby bone and tissue as they grow.

They tend to spread to other parts of the body more slowly than some other cancers. When they do spread, the local lymph nodes and lungs are among the more common sites.

Adenocarcinoma is one of the most common types of nasal tumour diagnosed in dogs, although several other forms of cancer can occur in this area.

Early symptoms

Symptoms may initially be mild or mistaken for an infection, allergy or a foreign object within the nose. Possible early signs include:

• Discharge from one nostril
• Blood within the nasal discharge
• Repeated nosebleeds
• Sneezing
• Noisy breathing or snoring
• Reduced airflow through one nostril
• Rubbing or pawing at the nose
• Discharge or excessive watering from one eye
• Reduced appetite, possibly because of a poorer sense of smell
• Mild weight loss

Symptoms as the condition progresses

As a nasal tumour grows, symptoms may become more persistent or severe. These can include:

• Persistent or heavy nasal bleeding
• Thick or unpleasant-smelling nasal discharge
• Facial swelling, deformity or pain
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Open-mouth breathing
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Changes in the position or appearance of an eye
• Reduced vision
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Behavioural changes or disorientation
• Seizures if the disease extends towards the brain

Swallowed blood from a nosebleed may cause vomiting or dark, black and tar-like faeces. These symptoms should be reported to the veterinary surgeon.

When urgent treatment is needed

Diagnosis

Your veterinary surgeon will examine the dog and ask about its symptoms, their duration and whether the discharge or bleeding is coming from one or both nostrils.

Initial investigations may include:

• A complete blood count
• Blood chemistry tests
• Urine tests
• Blood-clotting tests
• Tests for infection or fungal disease
• Chest X-rays to look for evidence of spread
• Sampling nearby lymph nodes where appropriate

A CT scan is often the most useful form of imaging because it can show the location and extent of the abnormal tissue, damage to surrounding bone and whether the disease has extended towards the eyes or brain.

Rhinoscopy may be used to examine the nasal passages with a small camera. A sample of tissue is normally required to determine whether the growth is cancerous and to identify the exact type of tumour.

Imaging and biopsy are both important. A scan shows where the abnormal tissue is and how far it extends, while examination of a tissue sample by a pathologist identifies the type of disease.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type, size and position of the tumour, whether it has spread, the dog’s general health and the owner’s wishes.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is often the main treatment for malignant nasal tumours in dogs because these tumours are usually difficult to remove completely by surgery.

Definitive radiotherapy uses a course of treatments intended to provide longer-term control. Palliative radiotherapy uses fewer treatments and is primarily intended to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

The dog will normally require a brief general anaesthetic for each treatment so that it remains completely still and the radiation can be directed accurately.

Possible effects of radiotherapy

Possible short-term effects within the treatment area include:

• Red or sore skin
• Hair loss
• Inflammation of the mouth or nasal tissues
• Increased nasal or eye discharge
• Temporary worsening of congestion
• Dry or irritated eyes

Hair may grow back a different colour. Late effects can occasionally involve the eyes, skin, bone or nervous system. The veterinary oncologist will explain the risks associated with the proposed treatment area and protocol.

Surgery and chemotherapy

Surgery alone is rarely able to remove all of a nasal tumour because of the complex structure of the nasal cavity and its proximity to the eyes and brain. It may be considered in selected cases, particularly when a small growth is situated towards the front of the nasal cavity.

Chemotherapy may be recommended for certain tumour types or when cancer is present elsewhere in the body. Its usefulness depends on the precise diagnosis.

Pain relief and palliative care

When treatment intended to control the tumour is not possible or appropriate, palliative care can help maintain comfort and quality of life.

This may include pain relief, medication to reduce inflammation, treatment of secondary infection and measures to help with appetite or breathing.

Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that may be considered in certain cancer cases. It is not suitable for every dog and can cause digestive, kidney or other adverse effects. It must only be given when prescribed and monitored by a veterinary surgeon.

Outlook

The outlook depends on the tumour type, its location and stage, whether it has extended towards the brain and the treatment chosen.

Without tumour-directed treatment, nasal carcinomas often progress over a period of months. However, survival times vary considerably, so a general average cannot predict how long an individual dog will remain comfortable.

Radiotherapy can reduce symptoms and provide useful control for many dogs, but recurrence is possible. Some tumour types, such as chondrosarcoma, may progress more slowly than others.

Your veterinary surgeon or oncologist will be best placed to discuss the likely outlook after reviewing the scan and biopsy results.

Quality of life

It can be helpful to monitor:

• Comfort and ability to rest
• Ease of breathing
• Frequency and severity of nosebleeds
• Appetite and weight
• Interest in normal activities
• Vision and awareness
• Response to medication

Contact your vet if symptoms worsen or if the dog’s treatment no longer appears to be keeping it comfortable.