The impact of obesity on the emergence of canine mammary carcinoma: an integrative review

Introduction: Obesity in dogs is a growing concern in Veterinary Medicine and is linked to chronic diseases and an increased risk of neoplasms, including mammary cancer. Objective: To investigate the correlation between obesity and mammary cancer development in female dogs. Methodology: An integrative literature review was conducted using ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SciELO databases. The search strategy involved the use of the following descriptors in both Portuguese and English: cancer, breast cancer, obesity, and bitch. Articles published between 2014 and 2024 were included in this study. Results and Discussion: Of the 43 articles initially identified, only seven met the inclusion criteria. Studies have indicated that obese or overweight female dogs are at a higher risk of developing aggressive mammary carcinomas, have lower survival rates, and exhibit changes in their lipid and metabolic profiles. Leptin and adiponectin play significant roles in cancer progression, with leptin promoting metastasis and adiponectin being associated with better prognosis. The presence of macrophages and a higher density of microvessels in tumors from obese female dogs correlated with increased tumor aggressiveness. Conclusion: Obesity significantly influences the development and malignancy of mammary tumors in female dogs.