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Just like male humans, male dogs can get lumps on and around their testicles, and it’s really important to check them regularly for any changes. But if you do notice a lump on your dog’s testicle or scrotum, what could it be? Let’s find out about the types of testicular lumps that can affect dogs and the available treatments. The good news is that testicular cancer in dogs is preventable and typically successfully treatable.
Dog Testicular Lumps: What Are They?
A lump on a dog’s testicle may not always be testicular cancer. However, it’s really important to get your dog checked by a veterinarian whenever you find a lump. The vet can take a needle biopsy to find out the type of lump or may opt to perform a castration surgery and send the lump to the laboratory for analysis. Here are some of the possible lumps that can be found on or near a dog’s testicles:
Sertoli Cell Tumor
A Sertoli cell tumor in dogs arises from the Sertoli cells within the testicular tissue and produces estrogen. For this reason, it causes high estrogen levels in affected male dogs, which leads to feminization and suppression of cell production in the bone marrow. Sertoli cell tumors are usually malignant and are most common in undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), where the surrounding body tissue keeps the testicle warmer than it would be in the scrotum, potentially contributing to cancer formation.
Interstitial Cell Tumor
Leydig cells are another type of cell found within a dog’s testicle and are responsible for producing testosterone. Overgrowth of Leydig cells produces a rare type of testicular lump called an interstitial cell tumor. Unlike the Sertoli cell tumors, these do not cause feminization or any other symptoms aside from one or more lumps. Instead, Leydig cell tumors are usually benign and tend to occur in older dogs or dogs with retained testicles.
Seminoma
Seminomas are testicular tumors that originate from germ cells. While these are often benign, they can occasionally spread to local lymph nodes. Like other types of testicular tumors, these are most common in older dogs and especially in undescended testicles. Seminomas don’t usually cause any symptoms aside from the presence of the lump itself, which may occasionally cause discomfort and encourage licking and self-trauma.
Cyst
A dog can develop a cyst in the skin of or within their scrotum, just like many other parts of the body. A cyst on a dog’s testicle is unlikely to be anything to be concerned about, but a visit to the veterinary clinic is warranted to ensure the diagnosis is correct and no treatment is warranted.
Skin Tags And Other Skin Lumps
The scrotal skin is no different from the skin on the rest of your dog’s body. Therefore, warts, skin tags, and even cancerous masses like mast cell tumors or melanomas are possible. If you notice any change in the appearance or feel of your dog’s testicles or scrotum, seek the advice of a vet.
Signs Of Testicular Cancer In Dogs
You might expect that dog testicular cancer symptoms would be obvious. However, for the majority of testicular tumors, there are no obvious symptoms, and your dog will behave completely normally, especially during early-stage testicular cancer in dogs. At this point, as a pet parent, you might only notice that one testicle is bigger than the other, softer than the other, or more irregularly shaped.
Occasionally, testicular tumors can become so large that they cause pain or pressure, and they may ulcerate or burst, especially if your dog starts licking that area a lot. Sertoli cell tumors are more likely to cause symptoms, and these would be signs of feminization, including mammary development, prominent nipples, hair loss, and hyperpigmentation of the skin.
Testicular Cancer In Dogs Treatment
It’s uncommon for even malignant testicular tumors to spread, although they occasionally do. For the majority of testicular tumors, castration surgery to remove the testicles in exactly the same way as routine neutering is the recommended treatment option.
If the testicles have not descended, they are surgically removed from the abdomen or groin, depending on their location. Occasionally, scrotal ablation surgery, where the skin of the scrotum is also removed, is required due to ulceration or invasion of the tumor. Thankfully, it is rare that a scrotal ablation is required, especially if veterinary input is obtained early on.
Sadly, I remember one very advanced case of testicular cancer, where the dog was in intense pain with a large oozing, ulcerated hole in their scrotum. This case required more extensive surgery, and healing was slow because the tissue in the area was already inflamed. If the owner had visited a veterinarian sooner, the surgery and healing would have been much more straightforward.
Pet insurance can be an excellent investment in your dog’s health by covering a large portion of vet bills for unexpected illnesses and accidents. However, it’s important to get a policy before your pup develops serious health problems. Otherwise, they will be considered pre-existing conditions and likely won’t be covered. See my colleague’s expert reviews of the best pet insurance providers to learn more.
Testicular Cancer In Dogs Survival Rate
Since it is uncommon for testicular tumors to metastasize, they are rarely life-limiting. Surgery to remove the testicles is usually curative, although the vet may suggest sampling the lymph nodes nearby to ensure that there is no spread and no further treatment is required.
How Common Is Testicular Cancer In Dogs?
When you consider testicular cancer in dogs, statistics show that these tumors are very common among older, entire (unneutered or ‘intact’) males, especially if their testicles have not descended into the scrotum as they should. Luckily, more and more male dogs are being routinely neutered, meaning that they will not be affected by testicular cancer.
How To Prevent Testicular Cancer In Dogs
Neutering is the only effective way to prevent it. However, the decision of whether to neuter your dog and at what age isn’t as clear-cut as you might think. While it’s a responsible decision to neuter your dog if you do not intend to breed from them, some very nervous male dogs may display more challenging or aggressive behavior following neutering since their testosterone may offer them some reassurance. Therefore, it’s really important to discuss neutering your dog with your veterinarian so that they can make the appropriate recommendations for your particular pooch.
Is Testicular Cancer In Dogs Painful?
In the early stages, it’s unlikely that testicular cancer is painful in dogs. However, as it progresses, the enlarged testicle may cause pressure or pain, and the scrotal skin may ulcerate and become infected.
Learn More About Neutering Your Pup
Testicular cancer is very common among unneutered male dogs, but thankfully, it’s quite easy to treat and even easier to prevent. If you notice any of the signs, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you haven’t neutered your furry friend already, it’s not too late. Read about other benefits of neutering or spaying your dog and how much it costs, including more affordable options than having your veterinarian do the procedure.
