Carcinoma in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Carcinoma is a group of malignant tumors arising from epithelial tissue — the cells lining body surfaces, internal organ cavities, and glandular ducts. In dogs and cats, carcinomas can develop in many locations, including the skin, oral cavity, mammary glands, lungs, bladder, and digestive tract. While carcinomas present very differently depending on location, they share a common tendency to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize to lymph nodes and distant organs.
What Is Carcinoma?
Carcinoma results from the uncontrolled proliferation of epithelial cells and is malignant by nature. Common subtypes include:
Squamous cell carcinoma: Seen in the skin, oral cavity, and occasionally the bladder; often develops in sun-exposed areas or sites of chronic irritation.
Basal cell carcinoma: A skin tumor type that generally behaves less aggressively.
Adenocarcinoma: A carcinoma subtype arising from glandular tissue (covered in detail in a separate article).
Transitional cell carcinoma: Found in the bladder and urinary tract.
The exact type and grade of a carcinoma is determined through histopathological examination.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the tumor's location:
A non-healing skin wound, crusting, or mass — particularly on unpigmented areas like the nose, ears, or lips, which carry a higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma
Bad breath, bleeding, or difficulty eating (suggestive of oral carcinoma)
Firmness or a mass in a mammary gland
Blood in the urine or difficulty urinating (suggestive of bladder carcinoma)
Coughing or shortness of breath (from lung involvement or metastasis)
General lethargy, reduced appetite, and weight loss
Diagnosis and Staging
Physical and regional examination to assess the mass and any regional lymph nodes
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) for an initial diagnosis
Histopathological biopsy for definitive diagnosis and tumor grading
Staging: Chest radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, regional lymph node evaluation, and CT imaging when needed
Urinalysis and imaging (ultrasound, cystoscopy) when bladder carcinoma is suspected
Treatment Options
Surgical excision: The primary treatment when feasible; achieving clean surgical margins is critical to prognosis.
Radiotherapy: Used for locations where complete surgical removal isn't possible (such as the head and neck) or when microscopic disease is suspected after surgery.
Chemotherapy: Used for metastatic or widespread disease, and as a primary or adjunctive treatment for certain carcinoma types (such as transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder).
Targeted and supportive therapies: In some cases, anti-inflammatory medications (such as NSAIDs for bladder carcinoma) can contribute to disease control.
Palliative care: For advanced-stage cases, focused on pain and symptom management to preserve quality of life.
Prognosis
Prognosis varies significantly based on carcinoma type, location, stage, and how early treatment begins. Carcinomas detected early and completely removed can have a quite favorable prognosis, while metastatic or advanced-stage cases require more complex management, with the focus often shifting toward preserving quality of life.
Guidance for Owners
Don't ignore a non-healing skin wound or crusting, especially on unpigmented, sun-exposed areas.
Have symptoms like bad breath, bleeding, or difficulty eating evaluated early.
Seek prompt veterinary attention if you notice blood in the urine or difficulty urinating.
Don't skip regular health check-ups — early detection directly affects treatment success.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not replace an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. If you notice symptoms of the type described above in your pet, we recommend consulting a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Contact
You can contact us for any questions or inquiries.
Copyright 2026 © veterinerklinikonkoloji.com
Our Services
Adenoma or Adenocarcinoma
Atypical Lipomatous Tumors
Benign Tumors
Carcinoma
Melanoma
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Round Cell Tumors
Sarcoma