Canine Liver Cancer Types and Risk Factors Explained

Hemangiosarcoma is a common type of liver cancer in dogs, accounting for about 25% of all liver cancer cases.

This cancer type originates from the blood vessels in the liver.

Hemangiosarcoma is often found in older dogs, typically over the age of 10.

It's a highly aggressive cancer that can spread quickly to other parts of the body.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is another type of liver cancer in dogs, making up about 20% of cases.

This cancer type starts in the main type of liver cells called hepatocytes.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is often linked to chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Chronic liver disease can cause scarring and inflammation in the liver, increasing the risk of cancer.

The risk of liver cancer in dogs increases with age, with most cases diagnosed in dogs over the age of 10.

Dogs with a family history of liver cancer are also at a higher risk.

Certain breeds, such as the Doberman Pinscher and the German Shepherd, are more prone to liver cancer due to genetic predisposition.

On a similar theme: Canine Lupus Disease

Canine liver cancer primarily affects older dogs, typically those over 9 years old.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer in dogs.

Additional tumor types include hemangiosarcomas, carcinoids, and sarcomas.

These tumor types can vary in their severity and impact on a dog's health.

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Canine liver cancer is a serious disease, but it's not the only type of cancer that affects dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is another common type of cancer in dogs, particularly golden retrievers and German shepherds.

This type of cancer affects the blood vessels and is often found in the spleen or liver. Dogs with hemangiosarcoma typically experience symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing.

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that affects smooth muscle cells in dogs. It can occur in various parts of the body, including the liver, stomach, and intestines.

Leiomyosarcoma in dogs often presents with symptoms like abdominal swelling, vomiting, and diarrhea. If left untreated, this type of cancer can be fatal.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the immune system in dogs. It can occur in various parts of the body, including the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.

Dogs with lymphoma may experience symptoms such as weight loss, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes.

For more insights, see: Cost of Treatment for Lymphoma in Dogs

Hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC, is the most common form of primary liver cancer in dogs. It's essential to understand the different types of HCC to know what to expect.

HCC can present in three ways: massive, nodular, or diffuse. A massive tumor is a single large tumor found in the liver, which is the most common form of HCC in dogs.

The size of the tumor doesn't determine whether it's massive, but rather the fact that it's a single large tumor. Massive tumors have a somewhat lower rate of metastasis than nodular or diffuse tumors and tend to be easier to remove.

Dogs with massive HCC may not show any symptoms until the tumor reaches a large size or develops a necrotic core, leading to critical abdominal hemorrhage. Common clinical signs include weight loss, inappetence, fever, and lethargy.

Laboratory tests may indicate nonregenerative anemia, RBC microcytosis, thrombocytosis, increased serum activity of ALP and AST, and hypercholesterolemia. High ALT and AST concentrations may reflect invasion of adjacent normal tissue or central tumor necrosis and may indicate a poor prognosis.

If your dog is diagnosed with a massive HCC, it's essential to consider mass excision with wide margins as a potential treatment option. This can be curative in both dogs and cats.

Here are the three types of HCC:

It's worth noting that all forms of primary liver cancer will metastasize to other parts of the dog's body if left untreated.

Liver cancer in dogs can be a serious issue, and understanding the risk factors is crucial for early detection and prevention.

Older dogs are most often diagnosed with liver cancer.

While hepatocellular carcinoma has not been specifically linked to any breeds, certain breeds are more susceptible to other types of cancer that can metastasize to the liver.

Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Poodles, and Rottweilers are some of the breeds that may be more at risk.

Dogs with liver cancer often don't show symptoms until the disease is fairly progressed, which can make early detection challenging.

Common symptoms of liver cancer in dogs include weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of eyes, skin, and gums), loss of appetite and weight loss, fever, and lethargy.

Some veterinarians may be able to spot signs of liver abnormalities, such as unusual bloodwork results, liver enlargement, or abdominal pain on palpation, during routine wellness exams.

To diagnose liver cancer, veterinarians may run lab tests, including urinalysis, diagnostic imaging tests, or a biopsy or needle aspiration of the liver to look for cancerous cells.

Here are some common symptoms of liver cancer in dogs:

Dogs with liver cancer often don't show symptoms in the early stages of the disease, which means the disease is fairly progressed by the time symptoms appear.

Weight loss is a common symptom of liver cancer in dogs.

Jaundice, or the yellowing of eyes, skin, and gums, is another common symptom of liver cancer in dogs.

Loss of appetite and weight loss are often seen in dogs with liver cancer.

Fever and lethargy are also symptoms of liver cancer in dogs.

Veterinarians may be able to spot liver abnormalities, such as unusual bloodwork results or liver enlargement, during routine wellness exams.

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Diagnosing liver cancer in dogs typically involves lab tests to look for signs of liver dysfunction.

Your vet may run a urine sample test, or diagnostic imaging tests such as radiographs or ultrasounds, or a biopsy or needle aspiration of the liver to look for cancerous cells.

The liver is capable of regenerating, which means even if a large portion of it is removed, it can rebuild itself.

This is good news for dogs with primary liver cancer, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, which can be treated with surgery to remove the affected parts of the liver.

Tumors found in a dog's liver are often benign, and cancerous tumors that are diagnosed tend to result from metastatic cancers that have spread to the liver from other areas in the dog's body.

If your dog has been diagnosed with liver cancer, it could mean either that your dog has actual primary liver cancer, which is rare, or your dog has another type of metastatic cancer that has spread to the liver.

Your vet will work with you to come up with the best treatment plan for your dog's condition, taking into account the type of cancer and its stage.

With proper treatment, some dogs with liver cancer can make a full recovery.

For another approach, see: Canine Cancer Treatment

Dogs with liver cancer can have a good prognosis if the tumor is surgically removed.

The size of the tumor plays a significant role in determining the prognosis, with massive liver tumors being more challenging to treat.

Unfortunately, some malignant tumors, such as nodular or diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma tumors, cannot be removed, and the prognosis is poor.

In these cases, the typical lifespan after diagnosis is around 3-6 months.

Chemotherapy can sometimes delay the progression of cancer, but it's unlikely to be curative.

Your veterinarian will work with you to decide the best course of action to keep your dog comfortable.

Here's an interesting read: Canine Cancer Prognosis