Breast Cancer in Dogs: What You Need to Know

Though you're likely aware of how common breast cancer is in humans, you may not know how common breast cancer in dogs is. One in four intact (not spayed) female dogs will be diagnosed with malignant mammary tumors, according to Animal Hospital Maple Orchard, and, as with humans, early detection is key.

How Common Is Breast Cancer in Dogs?

Mammary tumors are one of the most common tumor types seen in female dogs and are the most common tumor in intact female dogs. Around 50% of dog mammary tumors are benign and 50% are malignant or cancerous, noted the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).

Middle-aged and older female dogs are most commonly affected, and an increased incidence of mammary tumors in certain breeds suggests a genetic component, much like in humans. A few of the breeds at increased risk of malignant mammary tumors include German shepherds, cocker spaniels, Dobermans and poodles.

How Can You Catch Signs of Mammary Tumors Early?

To catch tumors early, you can start regularly monitoring your dog for any mammary growths when they're around 5 to 6 years old. If a female dog is intact or was spayed later in adulthood, she's considered at higher risk for mammary cancer; however, this regular monitoring should be done in all female dogs as a precaution.

Normal mammary tissue should be soft and pliable without any firm lumps. If you feel any lumps during an at-home assessment, take your dog to your veterinarian to discuss further testing and possible removal. In many cases, your dog may otherwise appear healthy and happy despite a palpable mammary tumor, but it's still important to have them evaluated by a vet because catching cancer early is essential.

How Is Breast Cancer in Dogs Diagnosed?

The three most important factors to determine a prognosis are mammary tumor size, lymph node involvement and metastasis (whether the cancer has spread to other sites).

In general, large tumors and cancer that's spread to lymph nodes or other organs lead to a poorer prognosis. Additional factors that can negatively affect prognosis include the presence of skin ulceration, cancer that's invasive/attached to adjacent tissue or rapidly growing, and a higher clinical stage at the time of diagnosis. According to NC State Veterinary Hospital, carcinoma tumors are one of the most common mammary cancers seen in dogs, which includes many subsets that all behave slightly differently.

A cytology exam (the evaluation of a sample of cells) of the tumor can help your vet to identify non-mammary tumors, as it allows them to see other tumor types in this location. Unfortunately, cytology alone is generally not helpful in determining whether a mammary tumor is benign or malignant, so a biopsy is often required to obtain a diagnosis.

In many cases, the surgeon will attempt an excisional biopsy (complete removal of the tumor), which can result in a diagnosis and potentially a cure in one surgery. Sometimes, additional surgeries are needed for complete removal.

How Is Breast Cancer in Dogs Treated?

Complete surgical removal is the most common treatment for breast cancer in dogs and, if accomplished, is usually curative. However, it's important to stage the tumor prior to removal to evaluate if it has spread to other organs or lymph nodes. If metastatic spread is present, then surgery isn't generally recommended unless it will help your dog's overall comfort.

Radiographs (X-rays) of the chest are performed to evaluate for any spread to the lungs, and in many cases, abdominal ultrasound and collecting cells from lymph nodes for evaluation are also performed. Unfortunately, approximately 50% of diagnosed mammary tumors are malignant, according to the ACVS, which is why early detection is key.

Chemotherapy is commonly used to attempt to delay progression in cases of aggressive mammary cancer, and radiation is sometimes used in cases when completely removing a tumor may not be possible. Medications recommended by your veterinarian may be recommended to help manage the mammary tumor or provide pain relief.

The overall goal of any treatment is to increase comfort and quality of life for your dog and to give you more time with them.

How Can You Prevent Malignant Mammary Tumors in Dogs?

The good news is that the risk for breast cancer in dogs can be significantly reduced. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed that spaying prior to the first heat cycle reduces risk to 0.5%, and spaying after the first heat only increased risk to 8%. However, after two heat cycles, the protective effect of spaying isn't seen, and the risk increases to 26%, likely because the female hormones have already had their effect on the mammary tissue. So, you can eliminate or greatly reduce breast cancer risk by spaying your dog either prior to their first heat or after one heat cycle.

Since female hormones play a role in mammary tumor development, spaying at any age is a helpful tool in mammary tumor prevention, although the risk benefit is not as great as discussed in the previous paragraph. In addition, dogs who are overweight during puberty are at an increased risk for malignant mammary neoplasia, so maintaining a healthy weight is also important.

As in humans, early detection is key, so regularly monitoring your dog for mammary tumors and visiting your vet if you notice anything abnormal is important. Your vet can help answer any questions and guide you in making the best plan for your dog when dealing with mammary tumors or other health concerns.