Transurethral resection in the management of urethral and prostatic neoplasia in 6 dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To assess cystoscopic transurethral resection (TUR) for the palliative management of dogs with neoplastic infiltration of the urethra.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
Six client-owned dogs.


METHODS
Cystoscopic examination and electrosurgical TUR were performed in dogs with urination difficulties caused by prostatic or urethral neoplasia. TUR was performed in a retrograde manner in female dogs and antegrade in male dogs via exploratory celiotomy and ventral cystotomy. Cystoscopic examination was used to determine the extent of neoplastic involvement of the urethra. TUR involved piecemeal removal of neoplastic tissue from the urethral lumen using an electrocautery cutting loop. Hemorrhage was controlled with a cystoscopic cauterized roller-ball. In 2 male dogs, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) was used to treat both prostatic neoplasia and the sublumbar lymph node bed. Surgical technique, complications, adjuvant treatment, and outcome were recorded.


RESULTS
TUR was performed in 3 male dogs with prostatic carcinoma and 2 female dogs with urethral transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). In 1 female dog, TUR was attempted but not successful because of cystoscope diameter. Iatrogenic urethral perforation occurred during TUR in 3 dogs. In 2 dogs, prolonged exposure to lavage fluid resulted in clinical and biochemical abnormalities consistent with TUR syndrome. Dysuria resolved in 5 dogs within 10 days of TUR. Treatment-related complications included urinary tract infection and tumor seeding. Local tumor progression and metastasis occurred in all dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
TUR (in combination with chemotherapy+/-IORT) resulted in rapid palliation of urination difficulties in male dogs with prostatic carcinoma. In female dogs with urethral TCC, however, electrosurgical TUR cannot be recommended because of a high intra- and postoperative complication rate with no improvement in postoperative management compared with historical reports of tube cystostomy.


CONCLUSIONS
TUR is a novel alternative for the palliation of male dogs with prostatic carcinoma. In female dogs with urethral TCC, electrosurgical TUR does not provide any advantages compared with tube cystostomy.
Liptak
Julius M
JM
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Animal Cancer Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. jlilptak@uoguelph.ca
Brutscher
Stephen P
SP
Monnet
Eric
E
Dernell
William S
WS
Twedt
David C
DC
Kazmierski
Kathy J
KJ
Walter
Claudia U
CU
Mullins
Marie N
MN
Larue
Susan M
SM
Withrow
Stephen J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014523:Urethral Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*