Clinical outcome of partial cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the canine bladder

Canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder has historically been treated with a combination of chemotherapy, cyclooxygenase inhibitors and radiation therapy. While surgery has been used to treat TCC of the bladder, its efficacy has yet to be established. Thirty-seven client owned dogs that underwent partial cystectomy +/- various nonsurgical treatments for TCC were retrospectively evaluated. The overall median progression-free interval (PFI) was 235 days and the median survival time (ST) was 348 days. Prognostic factors identified on univariate analysis significant for ST were age, tumor location, full thickness excision and frequency of piroxicam administration. Prognostic factors significant for PFI were full thickness excision and frequency of piroxicam administration. The median ST with partial cystectomy and daily piroxicam therapy, with or without chemotherapy, was 772 days. Dogs with non-trigonal bladder TCC treated with full thickness partial cystectomy and daily piroxicam (+/- chemotherapy) may have improved outcome compared to dogs treated with medical therapy.