What to Know About Nasal Adenocarcinoma

Nasal adenocarcinomas are relatively uncommon but represent nearly two-thirds of nasal tumors in dogs, which are locally invasive and have a higher risk of metastasis in later stages. Radiation therapy is the primary treatment to slow tumor growth, with patients living around one year on average. Newer approaches like metronomic chemotherapy and precision medicines targeting mutations show promise in delaying progression and metastasis. 

Medium-to-large breed dogs may be more prone to developing nasal tumors. Additionally, long-nosed (dolichocephalic) breeds or dogs living in urban environments could be at higher risk, possibly due to increased exposure to environmental carcinogens.

Treatment Options

Surgical removal of nasal tumors is not often recommended due to the high morbidity rate and lack of significant increase in life expectancy. Therefore, radiation therapy is usually the primary treatment of choice. It has been shown to slow down tumor growth and, in some cases, shrink the mass. Radiation therapy is also used to help alleviate clinical signs such as nasal discharge, bleeding, and increased respiratory effort.

Traditional injectable chemotherapy is not typically used for nasal tumors, as this cancer is more of a local concern. However, newer therapies may be effective against nasal carcinomas. Oral metronomic therapy, which involves low-dose chemotherapy combined with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication given daily, can help reduce blood vessel growth into the tumor and thus delay tumor growth and metastasis.

Furthermore, precision medicine has also been studied to treat nasal adenocarcinomas. Nasal adenocarcinomas have been reported to carry alterations in genes including ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2 TP53, and VEGF that can be targeted with precision therapies. FidoCure enables access to these precision medications and may require routine check-ups to ensure tolerability and assess tumor response.

Prognosis

The average survival time with radiation therapy alone is approximately one year, with some patients living longer than the average. As for traditional chemotherapy, small studies have reported life expectancy between 5-7 months. For targeted therapy, the long-term prognosis is still being studied, but shows promise in extending life expectancy. One study found that the targeted therapy Palladia had a median survival time (MST) of 298 days, while combining Palladia with radiation therapy extended the MST to 615 days, demonstrating significant potential for improving outcomes.

For the most accurate prognosis and treatment recommendations for your dog with nasal adenocarcinoma, consult your veterinarian or a veterinary oncologist. They can provide personalized guidance based on your dog's specific case, considering factors such as cancer stage, grade, tumor location, and concurrent health issues.