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Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment available for adenocarcinoma of the salivary glands in dogs. Surgery to excise and remove the tumor along with some adjacent normal tissue is often recommended. After surgery your dog may be recommended for radiotherapy to achieve local control and long-term survival. No chemotherapeutic agent has yet been recommended for salivary gland adenocarcinoma. Multiple surgeries may be required along with the subsequent radiotherapy sessions.

Living and Management

Patients that have undergone surgery may need to be taken for veterinary evaluations every three months. Surgery combined with radiotherapy can improve survival time for up to several months in dogs. You can improve the quality of life for your dog during this period by keeping stress at a minimum and making keeping your dog as comfortable as possible to minimize pain and other associated complications. Your dog will need special attention in proper nutrition and pain control. Your veterinarian will guide you in planning for meals and in choosing the best remedies for pain management.