A Pet Parent’s Guide to TCC (Bladder Cancer)

When your pet starts having urinary issues—straining, frequent accidents, or blood in their urine—it’s easy to assume it’s a simple urinary tract infection (UTI). While that’s often the case, these signs can sometimes point to something more serious: Transitional Cell Carcinoma, or TCC. At Harmony Pet Clinic, we want to help you understand this challenging disease and the options available for your pet.

What is Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC)?

TCC is the most common cancer of the urinary system in dogs and cats. It’s a malignant tumor that arises from the “transitional cells” that line the inside of the urinary bladder and the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). The tumor invades the bladder wall and can cause inflammation, bleeding, and most critically, obstruction of urine flow.

Who Is at Risk?

While any dog or cat can develop TCC, it is far more common in dogs. Certain breeds have a significantly higher genetic predisposition, including:

• Scottish Terriers (the most at-risk breed)
• Shetland Sheepdogs
• Beagles
• West Highland White Terriers
• Wire Hair Fox Terriers

The cancer is also more common in female dogs and older pets. While the exact cause is unknown, it’s believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Signs of TCC

The symptoms are all related to irritation and obstruction of the urinary tract.

• Straining to urinate (stranguria): Your pet may posture for a long time with little to no urine coming out.
• Frequent urination in small amounts (pollakiuria): Going out constantly but only producing a few drops.
• Blood in the urine (hematuria): Urine may appear pink, red, or brownish.
• Accidents in the house: A previously house-trained pet may start having accidents.
• Limping: In some cases, if the cancer spreads to the bones of the pelvis or legs, a limp may be seen.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing TCC involves several steps. A urinalysis can show abnormal cells, and an abdominal ultrasound is often used to visualize a mass in the bladder. A definitive diagnosis is typically made with a special urine test that detects a mutation associated with TCC (the BRAF test) or by getting a tissue sample via a catheter or surgery.

Unfortunately, due to the tumor’s location and tendency to invade the bladder wall, complete surgical removal is often not possible. Therefore, treatment focuses on medical management to slow the tumor’s growth, relieve symptoms, and maintain an excellent quality of life for as long as possible.

• Medical Management: The cornerstone of treatment is a combination of a specific type of NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) called Piroxicam, along with targeted chemotherapy drugs. This combination can often shrink the tumor and control symptoms for many months.
• Palliative Care: In some cases, stents can be placed to relieve a urinary obstruction. The main goal is always to keep your pet comfortable and able to urinate freely.