Introduction

• Cause: rare as primary (<0.5% of all cancers) neoplasia of acinar or duct cells in central portion of pancreas. Usually occur in older animals, specifically Airdale terriers Airedale Terrier.
• Signs: non-specific - vomiting, fever, weakness, variable abdominal pain.
• Diagnosis: radiography, ultrasound, laparotomy and tissue biopsy.
• Treatment: symptomatic, not curative.
• Prognosis: very poor - often locally invasive and metastasized at presentation. If diagnosed at exploratory laparotomy; intra-operative euthanasia should be considered.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Adenocarcinoma of pancreatic duct or acinar cells.

Pathophysiology

• Malignant tumor arising from cells of ducts or acinae → pancreatic enlargement ( → abdominal mass +/- pain, intestinal obstruction); abnormal function ( → maldigestion, anorexia, weight loss); biliary obstruction ( → jaundice).
• Metastasis → bone ( → pathological fractures) and/or soft tissues.
• Some tumors → increased gastrin secretion → inappropriate acid secretion by stomach → gastroduodenitis.

Timecourse

• Rapid metastasis - usually already occurred at time of presentation.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes