Hemangiosarcomas in Dogs
For more than 25 years, Dr. Todd L. Prince has cared for pets in and around Naperville, Illinois. Todd Prince, DVM, focuses a large portion of his practice on hemangiosarcomas and other veterinary cancers. Hemangiosarcoma stands out as one of the most common tumors identified in dogs. Most frequently diagnosed in older animals, it grows from the endothelial cells that line a dog's blood vessels. The majority of hemangiosarcomas occur in or just below the skin, in the spleen, or within the cardiac tissue, though the liver is also a common site of growth. When it occurs on the skin, a hemangiosarcoma usually appears as a black or red growth. When a tumor grows under the skin, however, the skin color is normal but a lump is visible beneath. Tumors in the abdominal organs or heart are palpable but not visible, though they do make themselves known through lethargy, weakness, bloating, or other symptoms related to the affected organ. Surgery stands out as a common line of treatment for most hemangiosarcomas. Surgical intervention is typically extensive, as all affected tissue requires removal. Most patients receive chemotherapy as well, as these tumors have a tendency to metastasize. Prognosis is generally best for dogs with hemangiosarcoma of the skin. Internal hemangiosarcomas, being more difficult to identify and prone to metastasis, may lead to a life expectancy of six months or fewer, though treatment can improve quality of life significantly.