Venereal Tumors (Sexually Transmitted Tumors) in Dogs
- Occurrence: very rare
- Location of disease: Abdomen/pelvis
When to visit the vet?
Non-urgent see a veterinarian within 2–3 days
If the condition worsens / symptoms persist, consult a veterinarian.
Definition
Venereal tumors in dogs, also known as CanineCanine refers to anything related to dogs. The term is used to describe characteristics, diseases, or specific aspects that specifically affect dogs. Transmissible Venereal Tumors (CTVT), are a rare type of cancerCancer refers to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells that can lead to tumors or spread throughout the body. Various types of cancer occur in dogs and cats, ranging from skin cancer to lymphomas. that is primarily transmitted through sexual contact between dogs.
The most important facts at a glance
CanineCanine refers to anything related to dogs. The term is used to describe characteristics, diseases, or specific aspects that specifically affect dogs. Transmissible Venereal TumorA venereal tumor is a sexually transmitted disease in animals, transmitted through direct Contact during sexual intercourse. In dogs, Sticker's sarcoma is an example of a venereal tumor. (CTVT) is a unique, transmissible tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. in dogs that is primarily transmitted during mating, but also through sniffing or licking of tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. tissue from one dog to another. These tumors do not originate from the affected dog’s cells, but are transmitted as “foreign” tissue from an infected dog to another. Scientific studies have shown that CTVT cells are genetically descended from a dog that lived several thousand years ago. Symptoms include red massesIn pathology, the term "mass" is used to describe an abnormal lump or growth in the body. A mass can form in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, or even inside the body. The causes can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). on the penis or vagina, increased licking in the genital region, and blood droplets. DiagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. is made through clinical examination and cytological analysis. Treatment options are primarily chemotherapyChemotherapy refers to the treatment of diseases, especially cancer, with chemical substances or drugs. It aims to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth, but can also affect healthy cells. with vincristine, sometimes combined with surgical removal or radiation therapyRadiation therapy is the use of radiation, most often to treat cancer. It can be used to kill cancer cells or slow their growth without significantly damaging surrounding healthy tissue.. The prognosisThe prognosis is the prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease based on the general state of health, the nature of the disease, and the response to treatment. It can provide information on how a disease is expected to develop. is generally good, especially with early diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. and treatment. For preventionPrevention includes measures taken to prevent diseases or injuries. In veterinary medicine, this includes vaccinations, parasite control, and health monitoring., sexual contact between dogs should be controlled, for example through castration / neuteringCastration / neutering is the process of removing the gonads (ovaries in females, testicles in males), which prevents reproduction and the production of certain sex hormones. This can be done for medical or other reasons. or sterilizationSterilization is a medical procedure that permanently removes or interrupts an individual's ability to reproduce. In animals, this often involves the surgical removal of the reproductive organs., and dogs should be kept away from potentially infected animals. Regular veterinary examinations and awareness about the disease also contribute to reducing its spread.
Causes
Venereal tumors (TVT) are one of the few types of cancerCancer refers to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells that can lead to tumors or spread throughout the body. Various types of cancer occur in dogs and cats, ranging from skin cancer to lymphomas. considered transmissible. These tumors are unique because they do not arise from the affected dog’s own cells, but rather through the direct transmission of tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. cells from an infected dog to another. This occurs primarily during mating, but can also happen through sniffing or licking of tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. tissue.
TVT belongs to a very small group of transmissible cancers that occur in animals, including the Tasmanian devil, which suffers from a similar facial tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions.. In dogs, these tumors represent a form of allotransplantation, where the tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. cells themselves act as “foreign” tissue that can evade the new host’s immune systemThe immune system is the body's defense system against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It comprises a complex network of organs, cells, and molecules that work together to protect the body..
Scientific studies show that TVT cells are genetically descended from a single original dog that lived several thousand years ago. This makes TVT one of the oldest known continuous cell lines in the world. The ability of tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. cells to evade the immune systemThe immune system is the body's defense system against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It comprises a complex network of organs, cells, and molecules that work together to protect the body. is enabled by genetic and molecular mechanisms that are still the subject of intensive research.
Symptoms
Symptoms of TVT (CTVT) are often limited to the external reproductive organs, but can also occur at other body sites if transmission occurs through contact with other mucous membranes. In male dogs, massesIn pathology, the term “mass” is used to describe an abnormal lump or growth in the body. A mass can form in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, or even inside the body. The causes can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). commonly appear on the prepuce, while in female dogs the vulva may be affected. These tumors appear as cauliflower-like massesIn pathology, the term “mass” is used to describe an abnormal lump or growth in the body. A mass can form in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, or even inside the body. The causes can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). that often bleed or ulcerate.
In addition to visible tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. massesIn pathology, the term “mass” is used to describe an abnormal lump or growth in the body. A mass can form in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, or even inside the body. The causes can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer)., affected dogs may also show signs of discomfort, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and in severe cases, weight loss. If the tumors metastasize to the oralOral means “through the mouth” and refers to the intake of food, medication, or other substances through the mouth. In veterinary medicine, many treatments are administered orally. cavity or nasalNasal refers to the nose and nasal cavities. In veterinary medicine, this can involve examinations, treatments, or diseases affecting the nose of dogs and cats. area, breathing problems or difficulty swallowing may occur.
Diagnosis
DiagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. of CTVT is usually made through a combination of clinical examination and cytological analysis. The veterinarian will perform a biopsyA biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small amount of tissue is removed from the body to be examined under a microscope for signs of disease. Biopsies can help diagnose cancer and other conditions. or fine-needle aspirationFine-needle aspiration is a minimally invasive diagnostic technique that uses a thin needle to extract cells or fluid from a tumor, lesion, or organ. This sample is then examined microscopically to make a diagnosis. of the suspicious massIn pathology, the term "mass" is used to describe an abnormal lump or growth in the body. A mass can form in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, or even inside the body. The causes can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). to obtain cells for microscopic examination.
Cytological examination typically shows large, round tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. cells with a characteristic appearance. These cells have a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, multipleMultiple means manifold or repeated and is used to describe conditions or events that occur in multiple instances or at different locations. In veterinary medicine, this may indicate multiple lesions, tumors, or other pathological changes. nucleoli, and a moderate amount of bluish cytoplasmCytoplasm is the part of the cell that lies outside the nucleus and where most cellular activities take place. It contains organelles and the cytoskeleton.. A definitive diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. is supported by these microscopic features.
Therapy
Treatment of CTVT is usually very effective, with chemotherapyChemotherapy refers to the treatment of diseases, especially cancer, with chemical substances or drugs. It aims to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth, but can also affect healthy cells. being the preferred method. Vincristine is the most common chemotherapeutic agent, administered weekly over several weeks. This treatment leads to complete remission in most cases.
In some cases, surgical removal of the tumors may also be considered, especially if the tumors are small and easily accessible. However, surgical removal alone carries a higher risk of recurrence, which is why it is often combined with chemotherapyChemotherapy refers to the treatment of diseases, especially cancer, with chemical substances or drugs. It aims to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth, but can also affect healthy cells..
Radiation therapyRadiation therapy is the use of radiation, most often to treat cancer. It can be used to kill cancer cells or slow their growth without significantly damaging surrounding healthy tissue. is another treatment option that can be used in cases where chemotherapyChemotherapy refers to the treatment of diseases, especially cancer, with chemical substances or drugs. It aims to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth, but can also affect healthy cells. is contraindicated or tumors cannot be surgically removed. However, this method is less common and is primarily offered in specialized veterinary oncologyOncology is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and research of cancer. In veterinary medicine, this includes the treatment of cancers in animals. centers.
Prognosis and follow-up care
The prognosisThe prognosis is the prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease based on the general state of health, the nature of the disease, and the response to treatment. It can provide information on how a disease is expected to develop. for dogs with CTVT is generally very good, especially when the disease is detected and treated early. The majority of dogs respond well to chemotherapy and achieve complete remission. The relapse rate is low when therapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions. is performed correctly.
In cases where tumors are not treated in time or when they metastasize, the prognosisThe prognosis is the prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease based on the general state of health, the nature of the disease, and the response to treatment. It can provide information on how a disease is expected to develop. may be worse. However, metastasesA metastasis is a secondary tumor that originates from a primary, malignant tumor in another part of the body. Metastases indicate that cancer has spread in the body. are relatively rare in CTVT and usually occur in the regional lymph nodes or skin.
Prevention
The most effective method for preventing CTVT is controlling the reproductive behavior of dogs. This can be achieved through castration / neuteringCastration / neutering is the process of removing the gonads (ovaries in females, testicles in males), which prevents reproduction and the production of certain sex hormones. This can be done for medical or other reasons. or sterilization to minimize sexual contact, which is the main route of transmission for tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. cells.
Furthermore, dog owners should ensure their pets are kept away from unknown or stray dogs that may be infected. Regular veterinary examinations and awareness of CTVT symptoms can also help prevent the spread of the disease.
Another important aspect of prevention is educating dog owners about the risks and transmission routes of CTVT. An informed community can help reduce the spread of these tumors in the dog populationIn veterinary medicine, the term population refers to a group of animals of a particular species living in a specific geographic area or environment..
Outlook on current research
Venereal tumors in dogs (TVT) are special types of cancer that are “transmitted” from dog to dog during mating. Researchers have shown that this is a very old tumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and affect various functions. line that has survived for centuries. Today, treatment is usually with the drug vincristine—often very successfully. Research now asks: Why do some tumors heal less well? And how can relapses be prevented?
One focus is the immune systemThe immune system is the body's defense system against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It comprises a complex network of organs, cells, and molecules that work together to protect the body.. Many TVT cells “hide” from immune cellsImmune cells are specialized cells of the immune system that help to identify and fight pathogens and foreign substances. These include leukocytes such as lymphocytes (T cells and B cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells.. Teams are therefore testing strategies that reactivate the body’s own defenses or combine them effectively with chemotherapyChemotherapy refers to the treatment of diseases, especially cancer, with chemical substances or drugs. It aims to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth, but can also affect healthy cells.. At the same time, researchers are looking for simple progressionProgression refers to the advancement or worsening of a disease over time. It describes an increase in the severity or extent of the disease symptoms. markers, such as tiny tumor traces in the blood (circulating DNADNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, function, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. It is located in the cells of an organism and contains the information for heredity.), to detect early whether treatment is working and when it can be safely discontinued.
Imaging and tissue analyses should better predict when tumors spread beyond the genital area. Worldwide studies on prevalence also help plan preventionPrevention includes measures taken to prevent diseases or injuries. In veterinary medicine, this includes vaccinations, parasite control, and health monitoring. (e.g., castration / neuteringCastration / neutering is the process of removing the gonads (ovaries in females, testicles in males), which prevents reproduction and the production of certain sex hormones. This can be done for medical or other reasons. and stray dog programs). Goals are shorter, gentler therapies with lasting success.