Hemangiosarcoma affects cells responsible for creating blood vessels and most commonly arises in organs like the spleen, liver, right atrium of the heart and skin; it may also occur viscerally such as within organ sacs such as the pericardium (sack surrounding heart).
Although certain breeds may be predisposed to non-cutaneous hemangiosarcoma, any dog is at risk. Understanding this disease helps pet parents recognize potential symptoms quickly and initiate lifesaving interventions as soon as possible.
Table of Contents
Treatment
Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive cancer that attacks endothelial cells lining blood vessels, most often found in dogs aged three years or more, typically light-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. Once it has metastasized it becomes hard to treat – it primarily affects older dogs like Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, though symptoms vary depending on where tumors develop; for example those originating in visceral areas typically cause bleeding issues within those organs.
Signs of Splenic Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs Include Swollen Abdomen, Weakness and Pale Gums
If the Hemangiosarcoma only affects the spleen, it should be survivable with treatment from your veterinarian and physical exam and bloodwork testing to detect anemic cells in bloodwork samples taken by them. When this cancer has spread further than expected, chemotherapy treatments are used to slow its progress and keep pets comfortable until surgery can take place.
Chemotherapy may cause side effects in pets such as decreased appetite, vomiting and diarrhea; to manage these side effects more effectively, your veterinarian will provide your pet with medications designed to counteract them.
Hemangiosarcoma that has spread can be challenging to treat surgically; removing mass in critical locations like the spleen and liver can be especially challenging and often leads to complications like bleeding. If it has reached the heart, treatment options include applying pressure with abdominal bands or cardiac tamponade – both techniques that may delay its progress for some time.
Radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy may also be an option; Annie found success using this treatment; however, chemotherapy could potentially increase cardiotoxicity risks over time.
Prognosis
Hemangiosarcoma is a type of cancerous tumor found on blood vessel walls (hemangio = blood, angiosarcoma = tumor). These highly aggressive and vascular tumors often spread quickly to distant sites; most hemangiosarcomas can be found on skin tissue but some can spread to liver or heart and become fatal over time.
Your veterinarian may suspect hemangiosarcoma after reviewing your dog’s history, symptoms and lab test results (bloodwork, chest x-rays and abdominal ultrasound). A physical exam and laboratory testing may also reveal an enlarged spleen or incidentally detect an anomaly on it during an ordinary radiograph or ultrasound procedure; when diagnosed as part of its presence on the spleen it’s often during an episode of collapse or weakness after rupture of its wall.
Conventional oncologists typically suggest surgery and chemotherapy treatment for splenic and cardiac forms of hemangiosarcoma. If the spleen is involved, surgeons will perform a complete removal (splenectomy). Chemotherapy after surgery generally includes drugs like doxorubicin.
Hemangiosarcoma cancer that has spread to either the liver or heart often results in poor prognosis and death is likely within several months, even with medical treatments. This is due to their weaker structures which are easily damaged by this form of tumor growth; once created masses filled with blood can’t be reabsorb quickly enough by your body; leading to sudden internal bleeding episodes which can prove deadly.
Studies are ongoing to find more effective treatments for hemangiosarcoma in its splenic and heart forms, particularly the ones caused by Shine On research. One such research initiative uses medication that targets cells that initiate tumor formation to stop their proliferation; this could potentially improve prognoses for dogs with these forms. Another promising development is an early detection blood test that can identify early signs of this cancer before its manifestation; Shine On research is developing such a test which seeks out specific cells associated with these tumors and kills them before tumor formation occurs – an exciting development!
Life Expectancy
Hemangiosarcoma usually has an adverse prognosis. Tumors grow quickly and rupture without warning, potentially bleeding into a body cavity like the spleen or liver and leading to serious complications or even death.
Hemangiosarcoma is a form of cancer that forms from cells that line blood vessels. While most commonly found in the spleen, this disease can also form elsewhere such as liver and heart.
Due to its rapid rate of growth, hemangiosarcoma is often discovered when treatment cannot be effective. Unfortunately, hemangiosarcoma cannot be prevented; unfortunately there are no screening tests that can detect it early enough for effective intervention.
Hemangiosarcoma remains unexplained; however, its exact cause is believed to be an aggressive cancer of blood vessel-lining cells that typically strikes dogs over middle age, particularly Golden Retrievers, Portuguese Water Dogs, German Shepherds and Boxers.
Hemangiosarcoma cases in dogs typically arise after it has already spread, even if surgery and chemotherapy treatments have been undertaken for treating its primary tumor site.
Hemangiosarcoma can spread to the lungs and abdominal lymph nodes. Additionally, it may enter the brain or bone. Surgery to remove tumors and chemotherapy are standard treatments for hemangiosarcoma; however, cancer will likely recur after each.
Research into new treatments is still in its early stages, yet no cure for hemangiosarcoma has yet been identified. Scientists have studied its basic properties and are searching for an “Achilles heel” that may slow or stop its spread. One potential solution may include taking losartan, which blocks angiotensin II; an angiogenesis inhibitor not effective against these tumors.
End-of-Life Care
If your dog is suffering from internal hemangiosarcoma with an imminent poor prognosis, it’s crucial that they seek medical help as soon as possible. Signs could range from abnormal bumps on their skin to more serious symptoms such as weakness, bloated abdomen and collapse; ruptured internal hemangiosarcoma has even been known to rupture into critical organs resulting in shock or death for them.
Hemangiosarcoma is an incurable cancer that attacks the cells that line blood vessels. It most frequently strikes large breed dogs like German shepards, golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers as they age; especially German shepards, golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers. Once it develops it can rapidly spread throughout their bodies’ blood vessels leading to masses forming at various locations; usually this happens within the spleen, though other possible primary sites include liver kidneys heart muscle bladder or subcutaneous tissues.
Prognosis for internal hemangiosarcoma in pets is very dismal; once it spreads to the lungs it may prove fatal for them. On average, dogs generally only live about 6-10 months post diagnosis; this may vary depending on its duration and spread. It’s essential to remember that survival time depends heavily upon these factors.
An initial hemangiosarcoma diagnosis can be devastating for any dog owner, yet there are ways you can ease their suffering during this difficult period. Speak to your vet about end-of-life care; this includes palliative measures such as pain management, feeding tubes and fluid therapy.
At your visit with your veterinarian, he or she will examine your dog and take a full medical history. They may aspirate or biopsy any external masses; use ultrasound to locate internal organs if there is abdominal mass; assess prothrombin time test results to evaluate coagulation status as well as evaluate liver and heart conditions via X-ray and/or ultrasound; it’s crucial that these tests are carried out prior to any anesthesia and surgery for safety purposes.