---
title: What to Know About Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma
description: Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is an aggressive lung cancer in dogs. Learn about risk factors, treatment options, and prognosis based on tumor characteristics.
image: https://blog.fidocure.com/hubfs/Blog_PulmonaryAdenocarcinoma.png
---
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# What to Know About Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma
[FidoCure](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/author/fidocure)
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Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a common and aggressive form of lung cancer in dogs, accounting for nearly 80% of canine lung neoplasia cases. The primary treatment is surgical tumor removal, sometimes combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy for inoperable cases. Prognosis depends on tumor size and grade, ranging from over 16 months for small, low-grade tumors to only 3 months for high-grade, metastatic cancers despite treatment.
While all breeds are at risk for developing lung cancer, certain breeds such as Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Irish Setters, and Bernese Mountain Dogs appear to have a higher susceptibility to pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Similar to humans, exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke and other airborne pollutants can increase a dog's risk of developing this form of lung cancer.
**Treatment Options**
The primary treatment for dogs diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma is surgical removal of the tumor(s). Dogs generally tolerate this procedure well. Depending on the tumor's grade, size, and extent, chemotherapy may be recommended as an additional treatment. However, chemotherapy alone, without surgical removal, does not significantly reduce tumor size or improve life expectancy.
In cases where surgery is not possible, a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be recommended. Recent studies have also shown promise for targeted therapies. Palladia, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been used successfully in several publications for treating canine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Additionally, [research](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6774847/) has identified a common mutation in the ERBB2 gene (also known as HER2) in canine pulmonary carcinoma, leading to the exploration of HER2 inhibitors like lapatinib as potential treatment options.
To alleviate symptoms, anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids (prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone) can be helpful. Secondary infections like pneumonia may develop, necessitating the use of antibiotics.
**Prognosis**
For dogs with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, tumor size is an important prognostic factor. Dogs with small, low-grade tumors without lymph node involvement have an average life expectancy of 16 months or more with surgical treatment alone. On the other hand, dogs with high-grade tumors and lymph node involvement have an average life expectancy of only three months, even with surgical intervention.
FidoCure's targeted therapies have shown promising results in canine pulmonary adenocarcinoma cases. The case of [Adley](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/lung-carcinoma-case-study-adley-hurwitz), a 6.5-year-old female Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, illustrates this potential. Initially diagnosed with grade I pulmonary carcinoma and complex mammary carcinoma, Adley's condition progressed despite surgical interventions. When faced with metastatic spread, her prognosis was poor, so Adley's family opted for enrollment in the FidoCure® Precision Medicine Platform. Following targeted therapy, Adley experienced tumor stabilization and maintained a good quality of life for several months beyond her initial prognosis, demonstrating the promise of personalized medicine in veterinary oncology.
For the most accurate prognosis and treatment recommendations for your dog with pulmonary 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.
## Related Articles
[](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/lung-carcinoma-case-study-adley-hurwitz)
[Case Studies](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/tag/case-studies)
### [Lung Carcinoma Case Study: Adley Hurwitz](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/lung-carcinoma-case-study-adley-hurwitz)
#### After six months of FidoCure® enabled therapy, Adley showed no evidence of pulmonary mass recurrence.
[Dr. Gerry Post](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/author/dr-gerry-post)
[Read More](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/lung-carcinoma-case-study-adley-hurwitz)
[](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/thyroid-carcinoma-case-study-lulu)
[Case Studies](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/tag/case-studies)
### [Thyroid Carcinoma Case Study: Lulu](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/thyroid-carcinoma-case-study-lulu)
#### After more than 20 months of FidoCure® enabled treatment, Lulu has remained free from further metaseses. There has been no evidence of disease recurrence or pulmonary...
[Dr. Gerry Post](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/author/dr-gerry-post)
[Read More](https://blog.fidocure.com/fidocure-blog/thyroid-carcinoma-case-study-lulu)
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**FidoCure® is an advanced cancer-care service for dogs, developed by One Health Company**. DISCLAIMER: All patients are enrolled in FidoCure® by a veterinarian with a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). We use best efforts to inform the veterinarian on available targeted therapy options for patients. FidoCure® does not prescribe therapy. The targeted therapies that veterinarians may prescribe and order from compounding pharmacies, after receiving genetic test results from FidoCure®, may constitute extra-label uses of those drugs. FidoCure® makes no claims that every patient will have genetic test results that lead to targeted therapy options. FidoCure® makes no claims or guarantees about the effectiveness of the diagnostic and targeted therapy selected by the veterinarian for an individual patient. Like most cancer care approaches, the services provided by FidoCure® are not a guarantee of a cure. FidoCure® is not a pharmacy and does not supply drugs directly. By ordering any medication via one of our pharmacy partners, you agree that the pharmacy, not FidoCure®, is solely responsible and liable for any and all issues relating to the preparation, dispensation and fulfillment of the medication. The lifetime offer is subject to the commercially reasonable availability of any medication(s) and/or active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) necessary for the selected therapy.
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