Clinical Management of Testicular Tumors in Dogs

Sep 22, 2026

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Testicular tumors are the most common neoplasms in the canine male reproductive tract, comprising about one quarter of tumors in intact males and forming three dominant histologic categories: seminomas, interstitial Leydig cell tumors, and Sertoli cell tumors. Clinical relevance largely reflects endocrine activity, particularly estrogen secretion, which can cause feminization syndrome and, in severe cases, bone marrow suppression. Diagnosis integrates physical exam, ultrasonography, hormonal endocrine testing, and estrogen-effect tissue evidence. Management centers on orchiectomy, with additional postoperative hematologic and endocrine monitoring for hormonally active cases.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

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Review Clinical Management of Testicular Tumors in Dogs Maria Pereira 1, Koray Tekin 2, *, Malena Perez 1, Kurt de Cramer 3,4 and Stefano Romagnoli 1 Academic Editors: Pagona G. Gouletsou and Marianna S. Barbagianni Received: 15 March 2026 Revised: 1 April 2026 Accepted: 3 April 2026 Published: 15 April 2026 Copyright: © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. 1 Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy; [maria.pereira@unipd.it](maria.pereira@unipd.it) (M.P.); [malena.perez@studenti.unipd.it](malena.perez@studenti.unipd.it) (M.P.); [stefano.romagnoli@unipd.it](stefano.romagnoli@unipd.it) (S.R.) 2 Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06110, Türkiye 3 Rant en Dal Animal Hospital, Johannesburg 1751, South Africa; [kdcramer@mweb.co.za](kdcramer@mweb.co.za) 4 Department of Production Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa * Correspondence: [ktekin@ankara.edu.tr](ktekin@ankara.edu.tr) Simple Summary Testicular tumors are common in intact, older male dogs. Whilst the majority of these tumors are benign, some are malignant and may metastasize. In addition, some testicular tumors are hormonally active and may have systemic effects. Estrogen is the most common offending and clinically significant hormone produced by testicular tumors, leading to feminization syndrome and sometimes bone marrow suppression that disrupts normal blood cell production. In some cases, excessive androgen production may lead to benign prostatic hypertrophy, which may ultimately progress to prostatitis, cyst formation and abscessation. The manuscript emphasizes the importance of routine reproductive health monitoring in intact older dogs to ensure early detection. Surgical removal of the affected testicle is usually curative and may be best practice for some dogs with a testicular tumor in only one testicle, whilst in others bilateral orchiectomy (removal of both testicles) may be indicated. Increased vigilance and knowledge on testicular tumors improve animal welfare, support informed choices for owners, and reduce the chance of severe complications in older male dogs. Abstract Testicular tumors are the most common neoplasms of the canine male reproductive tract, corresponding to approximately 25% of all tumors in intact males. A large percentage of cases are characterized by one of three main tumor types: seminomas, interstitial Leydig cell tumors, or Sertoli cell tumors. Clinical importance is primarily associated with endocrine activity rather than malignant behavior; orchiectomy is the treatment of choice for most canine testicular cancers. Endocrine activity, particularly estrogen secretion, may result infeminization syndrome and, in severe cases, bone marrow suppression. The diagnostic approach combines physical examination, ultrasonography with hormonal assessment using endocrine testing (testosterone, estradiol, and T:E ratio), and/or tissue level evidence of the estrogen effect (preputial cytology) . Management is centered on orchiectomy; unilateral surgery may be considered when the contralateral testis is clinically and ultrasonographically normal and when preservation of reproductive capacity or working ability is still a priority. Dogs with hormonally active tumors benefit from postoperative hematologic and endocrine monitoring. Recent advances in immunohistochemistry (IHC), such as Ki-67 and inhibin-α markers, and imaging techniques are improving tumor characterization and individualized clinical decision making. Keywords: canine testicular tumors; hyperestrogenism; Leydig cell tumor; preputial cytology; seminoma; Sertoli cell tumor 1. Introduction Testicular tumors are the mos

FAQs

What are the main types of testicular tumors in dogs discussed in the document?

The document highlights three major tumor types: seminomas, interstitial Leydig cell tumors, and Sertoli cell tumors, which together comprise over 95% of canine testicular neoplasms.

Why is clinical management important even when many tumors are benign?

Clinical importance is tied primarily to endocrine activity rather than malignant behavior. Estrogen secretion can lead to feminization syndrome, and severe cases may involve bone marrow suppression and other systemic effects.

What is the recommended treatment approach for most canine testicular cancers?

Orchiectomy is identified as the treatment of choice for most canine testicular cancers. Unilateral surgery may be considered when the other testis is clinically and ultrasonographically normal and preserving reproductive capacity or working ability remains a priority.

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Angel