Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide to Cancer Care

Hemangiosarcoma in dogs is a serious and aggressive cancer that affects the blood vessels. It's a type of sarcoma, which is a cancer that develops in the connective tissue.

The average age of diagnosis for hemangiosarcoma in dogs is around 10 years old, but it can occur in dogs as young as 5. Early detection is crucial to give your dog the best chance of a successful outcome.

Hemangiosarcoma can occur in any breed of dog, but some breeds are at higher risk, such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers.

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Hemangiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that affects the blood vessels.

It's most commonly found in dogs, particularly older breeds like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.

Hemangiosarcoma starts in the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels.

These cells can become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably, leading to the growth of a tumor.

The tumor can occur almost anywhere in the body, but it's most commonly found in the spleen, liver, or skin.

In dogs, hemangiosarcoma can also occur in the heart, which can lead to cardiac failure.

The cancer can also spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs, liver, and lymph nodes.

The prognosis for dogs with hemangiosarcoma is generally poor, with a median survival time of around 1-2 months after diagnosis.

Early detection and treatment can improve the chances of survival, but it's essential to catch the cancer in its early stages.

Lethargy and weakness are common symptoms of hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Dogs with hemangiosarcoma may appear lethargic and weak, especially when standing up from laying down or after light exercise.

Lethargy and weakness can be subtle symptoms, often accompanied by a decrease in interest in activities and appetite. Internal bleeding due to tumor rupture can cause these symptoms to suddenly worsen.

Dogs with hemangiosarcoma may appear especially weak when standing up from laying down or after light exercise. This is because the internal bleeding caused by tumor rupture can lead to a decrease in blood volume and oxygen delivery to the muscles.

A study found that more than 50% of patients are presented because of acute collapse after spontaneous rupture of the primary tumor or its metastases. This sudden collapse can be caused by internal bleeding, which can lead to lethargy and weakness.

In some cases, lethargy and weakness may be the only symptoms of hemangiosarcoma. This is because the tumor may not cause any noticeable symptoms until it ruptures and causes internal bleeding.

Dogs with hemangiosarcoma may also have pale mucous membranes due to anemia caused by internal bleeding. This can be a sign of the disease, especially if it is accompanied by lethargy and weakness.

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Any skin mass larger than a pea (1 cm) and/or any that has been present for more than one month should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

A veterinarian should obtain a thorough patient history and perform a complete physical examination to diagnose hemangiosarcoma.

Patients with visceral hemangiosarcoma often don’t have any clinical signs until a tumor ruptures to cause internal bleeding.

Initial diagnostic tests may include complete blood count, serum biochemical profile, urinalysis, coagulation profile, chest radiography, abdominal radiography +/- sonography, and echocardiography.

A definitive diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma is made by removal and biopsy of the tumor.

Regardless of location, hemangiosarcoma is most often diagnosed via biopsy.

Abdominal ultrasound, x-rays, CT scan, and surgery are all important tools that are useful in providing a definitive diagnosis and also assessing extent of disease within the body.

If surgery is performed, histopathology is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Diagnostic steps may include full lab work (complete blood count, blood chemistry, urinalysis) and radiographs (X-rays) of the chest and abdomen.

Bloodwork will help determine your dog's blood cell count, blood clotting ability, and organ function to narrow down the cause of its illness.

Skin tumors can often be aspirated or biopsied, which involves your veterinarian taking a sample to be reviewed under a microscope.

Internal tumors may also be aspirated or biopsied if your veterinarian deems it safe for your dog.

Imaging modalities may include one or more of ultrasound, CT, MRI, and FDG-PET/CT.

Here's a summary of the diagnostic tests that may be performed:

Surgery is the primary method of treatment for most dogs with hemangiosarcoma, regardless of the location of the primary tumor.

The first step to treat hemangiosarcoma in dogs is to surgically remove the primary tumor, if possible. Surgery for splenic tumors typically involves complete removal of the spleen, which your dog can live healthily without.

Chemotherapy delivered after surgery may delay metastasis. "Standard" chemotherapy typically consists of the drug doxorubicin (Adriamycin) given once every 2-3 weeks for a total of five treatments and is generally very well tolerated.

For patients with evidence of metastasis at the time of diagnosis, or for patients where surgical removal of the primary tumor is not possible, chemotherapy may be an option to slow the progression of metastatic disease and maintain a good quality of life.

Average survival times with surgery and chemotherapy are approximately 5-7 months, with only 10% of dogs surviving for one year.

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Dogs with the subcutaneous (under the skin) form of hemangiosarcoma may do somewhat better than this average.

Here are some general survival times for different forms of hemangiosarcoma:

Palliative radiation therapy may be recommended to reduce pain and provide a better quality of life when other treatments are not effective or if no other treatment options exist.

Since most types of hemangiosarcoma cannot be prevented, early detection is the next best option. External hemangiosarcoma may be prevented through lifestyle management.

Selective breeding can help prevent internal forms of this disease. A 2012 paper published by the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School showed a favorable response in dogs treated with a compound derived from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom compared to historical controls.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine are investigating the efficacy and safety of antibody therapy to inhibit the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF. This protein stimulates angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, which has been implicated as a cause of hemangiosarcoma.

A new drug called eBAT has been reported to improve the 6-month survival rate to approximately 70% in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma. Additionally, 21% of dogs lived more than 450 days.

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Hemangiosarcoma can affect dogs of any age, but it typically occurs in middle-aged and senior dogs.

Sun exposure is a known cause of hemangiosarcoma of the skin, which usually occurs on hairless areas of the skin or areas with white hair.

Dogs with certain breeds may have a genetic predisposition to internal hemangiosarcomas, including golden retrievers, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers.

These breeds may be more likely to develop internal hemangiosarcomas due to their genetic makeup.

Preventing Cancer is a crucial aspect of maintaining overall health. Since most types of hemangiosarcoma cannot be prevented, early detection is the next best option.

External hemangiosarcoma may be prevented through lifestyle management. This involves making conscious choices about your daily habits to reduce your risk of developing the disease.

Some forms of cancer, like internal hemangiosarcoma, should be prevented through selective breeding. This approach can help reduce the number of cases in certain breeds of dogs.

Early detection is key to treating cancer effectively. By catching it early, you can increase the chances of successful treatment and improve your overall outcome.

New treatments are emerging for hemangiosarcoma, offering hope for dogs with this aggressive cancer. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine are investigating antibody therapy to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, which stimulates angiogenesis.

Novel interventions have shown promise in treating specific forms of hemangiosarcoma. Liposome-encapsulated muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine (L-MTP-PE) has been used in combination with splenectomy and chemotherapy, conferring a significant survival benefit in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma.

A recent study at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine found that I'm-Yunity, a compound derived from the mushroom Coriolus versicolor, significantly improved survival times in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma compared to those who only underwent surgery.

Exciting results have been reported from a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine, who found that a new drug called eBAT improved the 6-month survival rate to approximately 70% in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma.

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Here are some new treatments being explored:

These new treatments offer a glimmer of hope for dogs with hemangiosarcoma, and further research is needed to confirm their efficacy and safety.

Chemotherapy is often recommended for dogs following surgery, especially if the mass could not be completely removed or if metastasis is present. A veterinary oncologist will develop a chemotherapy protocol that is best for your dog.

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is the most common treatment, typically involving visits to the vet for chemotherapy injections every two to three weeks for several months.

Chemotherapy can increase the average survival time by 2-4 months beyond splenectomy alone. The addition of chemotherapy, primarily comprising the drug doxorubicin, can improve survival times.

Surgery alone doesn't appear to confer a marked survival benefit for patients with visceral hemangiosarcoma. However, patients who undergo surgery tend to feel better in the short term.

Some chemotherapy protocols have been investigated to treat hemangiosarcoma. Use of the drug doxorubicin is associated with longer survival times. The reported median survival times for splenic hemangiosarcoma treated with surgery and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy is 141-179 days.

Chemotherapy in veterinary medicine is focused on limiting severe side effects and providing increased quality of life. Hair loss is rare except in certain breeds such as poodles.