What is Nose Cancer?
A dog’s nasal cavity is divided into two chambers (each made up on turbinate bones and paranasal sinuses) by a cartilaginous septum and extends into the two nostrils you see at your dog’s snout. The front of your dog’s nasal cavity handles respiration while the back part handles smell and taste. The nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are a complex network, and a cancerous tumor obstructs your dog’s breathing and causes significant other complications.
Nose cancer is an aggressive cancer more commonly found in older dogs, dogs with longer snouts, and dogs living in urban areas. Two-thirds of all nasal tumors are carcinomas, which form in the lining of the nose, and about one-third are sarcomas, which form in the cartilage, bone or connective tissue within the nose. A nasal tumor may also be lymphoma; however, this is rare. It can be treated if caught early, but nose cancer is by definition malignant, with a high frequency of metastasis to the lungs, skull cavity, or lymph nodes.
Nose cancer, technically known as nasal adenocarcinoma, is a rare tumor of a dog’s nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Nose cancer accounts for 2.5 percent of canine tumors.Nose Cancer Average Cost
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Average Cost
$12,000
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Symptoms of Nose Cancer in Dogs
- Epistaxis (bloody nasal discharge)
- Mucous or pus in nasal discharge
- Sneezing
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Stertorous breathing (labored, noisy breathing)
- Anorexia
- Seizures
- Facial deformity
- Visible pain around nose
- Excessive ocular discharge
Causes of Nose Cancer in Dogs
The exact cause of the cancer is not known, although it is correlated with certain risk factors. The most telling is an elevated risk in dogs living in urban areas, which suggests that exposure to pollutants, smoking, and fossil fuel combustion byproducts increase a dog’s risk of developing nose cancer.
Diagnosis of Nose Cancer in Dogs
The veterinarian will take tissue samples from lymph nodes in order to analyze for cancerous cells and detect possible metastasis. The nasal bacterial culture will be harvested and analyzed. In addition to the nasal bacterial culture, a rhinoscopy, or examination of the nasal passages, will be completed. Further, a combination of X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and radiographic scans will be taken in order for the veterinarian to identify and diagnose the tumor, the extent of its proliferation, and to see if it has spread. An additional tool for diagnosis might be the biopsy of the cancerous growth for microscopic analysis by a laboratory pathologist.
Treatment of Nose Cancer in Dogs
Because adenocarcinoma advances so rapidly, it is typically very advanced at the time of diagnosis. For this reason, getting treatment as soon as possible increases your chance of survival. With a positive diagnosis, the veterinarian may refer you and your dog to a veterinarian oncologist. An oncologist specializes in treating tumors, and will be able to best advise you on your dog’s prognosis and help you make decisions regarding treatment.
Surgery
Adenocarcinoma is not amenable to surgery, due to the complex nature of your dog’s nasal cavity and the fact that the tumor is close to the brain and eyes. Therefore, the risk of complication outweighs benefits. In rare cases, rhinotomy, or an incision into the nose to remove the tumor, is attempted; however, success rates have not been encouraging, and rhinotomy correlates with significantly reduced survival time, average between three to six months.
Radiation and Chemotherapy
At this time, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have not proven effective at treating adenocarcinoma. The good news, radiation therapy is still considered an option to prolong life and relieve pain. Depending upon your dog’s tumor, you may consider one of the following options for radiation therapy:
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery delivers a high dose of radiation targeting the center of the tumor and is a one-time treatment designed to minimize damage to tissue surrounding the tumor.
- Stereotactic Radiation Therapy delivers up to three smaller doses at different times in order to further minimize the risk of damaging tissue around the tumor. This involves multiple visits to a radiation specialist as opposed to one and is used when a tumor is located dangerously close to essential structures such as your dog’s brain and eyes.
When considering radiation therapy, it is important to discuss the risks of possible side affects with the veterinarian, which can include inflammation, runny nose, skin shedding, atrophy, hemorrhage, degeneration, brain necrosis, seizures, optic nerve degeneration, fibrosis and bone collapse.
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Recovery of Nose Cancer in Dogs
Untreated adenocarcinoma is very deadly, and affected dogs typically die within two to seven months of diagnosis. The median survival time of dogs administered with radiation therapy is eight to twenty months.
If your dog undergoes radiation therapy, be sure to carefully monitor symptoms and follow up with the veterinarian as scheduled and whenever symptoms warrant. Some side affects are treatable with antibiotics or other treatments; however, some of the most severe side affects are non-treatable.
The most critical task is keeping your dog comfortable. To ease pain, anti-inflammatories, pain medication, and sleeping pills may be prescribed. In serious cases, with a poor prognosis and debilitating pain, euthanasia may be considered as the best option.
Nose Cancer Average Cost
From 2 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $15,000
Average Cost
$12,000
Top
Nose Cancer Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Rex
7 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Eye Buldge
Snout Cancer
My dog (polish lowland sheepdog) had a rare form of cancer develop on his snout, about a month ago - it was under his left eye but still in the about area. We thought it was a bad tooth and had one vet give him an antibiotic for his teeth. It got worse, we went to a second vet for a 2nd opinion. After a scan, he discovered soft tissue not relating to his tooth. He performed surgery and it was removed. His left eye had swollen pretty badly to the point where it was buldging. Its been about 3 weeks since the removal of the tumor, and his eye is still swollen, it looks like it's getting worse. The vet said it's possible the cancer could have gotten to his ocular nerves and cause damage. I'm worried it's getting worse because now his eye is leaking, and the whites are completely red. Is it possible the cancer is getting worse and continuing deeper? Is this eye related issue something completely different. My poor dog is looking sad and depressed lately and I don't know what I can do next. Help!
Nov. 15, 2017
0 Recommendations
At this point I would recommend visiting an Ophthalmic Specialist to look at the eye and to perform ocular ultrasound to determine if there is something behind the eye forcing it out. It is possible that the cancer has spread (depending on the type) and is affecting the eye. It may be a case that Rex loses the eye if this continues. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 15, 2017
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Mix
Oliver
13 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Discharge From Nose
My dog Oliver has a lot of discharge coming out of his nose starting about mid September. We got him on antibiotics but did not help. Took him back about a week ago because he was sounding worse and thought it might be allergies so vet put him this time on an antihistamine and antibiotics again. After a week of treatment, still no change and I am thinking it must be nasal cancer. He had a series of seizures in Feb and March, sometimes 2 a day, but then they stopped so vet was thinking it was an isolated incident. I'm not so sure, I think it is all related. He has been having some very restless nights but his appetite is still very good and energy is good. How do I know if he is in pain or if the time has come to say goodbye?
Nov. 15, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are many different causes for discharge from the nose which may include infections, foreign bodies, allergies, dental disorders, tumours among other issues. Deciding on whether to continue to diagnose the problem or say goodbye can be difficult and determining whether Oliver is in pain isn’t easy since dogs are stoic animals and will not show pain until the last moment. Look for changes in behaviour, avoiding family and spending more time alone; other than that you know him best and will know when he isn’t himself. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 15, 2017
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Golden Retreiver
Lucy
9 years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Runny Nose, Disfigured/Swollen Nose
2 Nose Bleeds, 2 Weeks Apart
My sweet girl was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the nose last week. she had an endoscopy last week, which showed it is contained to the fleshy part of her nose only and lymph nodes "look good". I will ask at appointment tomorrow if they biopsied the lymph tissue. We have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow to discuss treatment options. I am finding conflicting information of prognosis on the internet of using radiation vs surgery. The diagnostic vet said surgery would "cure" the cancer, but they would remove her entire nose, canine teeth and some of the bridge, leaving her deformed. We are crushed and don't want Lucy to suffer unnecessarily. Can you tell me the most updated prognosis for 3 treatment radiation for Lucy?
Nov. 14, 2017
0 Recommendations
Generally surgery is the treatment of choice with radiation therapy used to complement the surgery as required; surgical excision with wide margins (which leads to more deformity) is the best course of treatment if there has been no spread. Radiation alone in this case is unlikely to be effective; there is a lot of conflicting information online but you should wait to speak with the Oncologist as they will be able to tell you specifically after examining Lucy. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 15, 2017
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Saint Bernard
Spikecowski
7 Years
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My St. BERNARD AGE 7 WAS BITTEN IN THE NOSE BY ONE OF MY YEARLING saints, it was a puncture thru where kids now a days put those bull rings they wear, didn't heal, started swelling, and biopsy was done,just got results as Squamous cell carcinoma. He is already disfigured and struggles to breathe thru his nose, three veterinarians were involved and all said auto immune, but turned out to be cancer, since biopsies, it has flourished so progressively over 5 days. Just how long before he starts with seizures? How long does it take to get to his eyes. How did he get this?
We have already made the decision, before he even starts to have a seizure, or his eyes go or it gets to his lungs, to let him go with his dignity, me I'm living with the guilt of three misdiagnosies.
Nov. 12, 2017
0 Recommendations
The progression is on a case by case basis and some dogs last longer than others; squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive cancer which can be devastating to local tissue. There is no fixed timeline and you should take each day as it comes; causes range from sunlight to other causes. I would take it day by day but make sure you are ready for the last car trip to your Veterinarian together. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 13, 2017
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Nose Cancer Average Cost
From 2 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $15,000
Average Cost
$12,000
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
