Testicular Tumor (Sertoli Cell) in Dogs

A canine who has developed a Sertoli cell cancer of the testicle may exhibit the following signs of the condition.

• There may be blood in the urine (hematuria)
• There could be shrinkage and then an atrophy of one or both of the testicles
• In addition, there could be an atrophic penis
• Your pet may lose weight
• He could appear pale
• There may be hair loss in the area of the tumor (alopecia)
• There could be hyperpigmentation of the skin
• There could be a mass in the abdomen or inguinal area
• Your dog could have characteristics of feminization such as having an attraction to male dogs or a flow of liquid from the breasts

Types

There is a breed predisposition to testicular cancer. Specifically, Airedale Terriers, Weimaraners, Pekingese, Shetland Sheepdogs, Fox Terriers, Norwegian Elkhounds, and West Highland White Terriers are prone to the Sertoli cell testicular tumors.

As in humans, the exact reason why our pets develop cancer is unknown. What is known is that there are factors that can contribute to the growth of cancerous cells.

• Genetic predisposition
• Hormones
• Exposure to chemicals
• Exposure to toxins
• Frequent inflammation and swelling of the testicles
• Injury to the testicles
• Age (the average is 8 to 10 years of age, except in dogs who have undescended testicles which is called cryptorchidism)
• The Sertoli cell tumor is associated with hyperestrogenism (hence the feminization often seen in dogs with this cancer)

When you bring your pet to the veterinary clinic, the visit will begin with a physical examination including a palpation of the scrotum and a rectal exam to check the lymph nodes in that region, as well as the prostate. While the veterinarian is performing the physical part of the diagnostic procedure it is a good time to discuss symptoms that you may have seen in your pet. Any changes you have noticed in your canine’s regular day to day activities, variations in appetite, or other signs that have led you to suspect that your dog is ill are important and helpful for the veterinary team to know.

Standard testing that can provide an insight to your pet’s health condition are blood tests and urinalysis. There may be a presence of blood in the urine. Markers in the blood that will indicate a problem are anemia, leukopenia (decrease in white blood cells), increased estrogen levels, and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). Your veterinarian may want to see a sperm sample because abnormalities will be another indication that testicular cancer is a possibility.

Radiographs (X-rays) of the chest and abdomen may be ordered, in addition to ultrasonography of the testes (to look for irregularities). An ultrasound of the abdomen could also reveal that the testes are not descended and may be seen in the inguinal canal or the abdominal cavity. Finally, there could be a need for needle aspiration or biopsy, though these tests may be done only if absolutely necessary as they are rather invasive.