Canine and feline haemangiosarcoma

Abstract

Introduction: Haemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a malignant neoplasm of dogs and cats that is suspected to originate from a pluripotent bone marrow progenitor with a complex and multifactorial pathogenesis. Approach: Pertinent literature was identified, reviewed, and summarized for inclusion in the manuscript. Results/Interpretation: Dogs are more frequently diagnosed with HSA than cats, and primary sites of this disease include dermal, subcutaneous/ intramuscular, and visceral (most commonly the spleen). Dogs and cats with HSA generally have a poor prognosis owing to the rapid and widespread metastasis typically associated with this disease. However, some forms such as cutaneous HSA behave in a less aggressive fashion with improved outcomes. Surgical excision and anthracycline-based chemotherapy remain the mainstays of treatment, although novel treatment modalities are currently under investigation for potential roles in treatment of this disease. Conclusion:This review aims to describe the clinical presentation and progression of the various forms of HSA in dogs and cats as well as to provide a systematic review of the veterinary literature with a focus on the various published treatment options and associated outcomes.

Feline Oncogenomics: What Do We Know about the Genetics of Cancer in Domestic Cats?

“…However, evidence in the mouse suggests an endothelial precursor [ 116 ] and the authors could not find similar studies performed in the cat. The main types of HSA in cats are dermal/cutaneous, subcutaneous/intramuscular and visceral (involving internal organs) [ 117 ]. The most common forms of HSA in cats are dermal/cutaneous and subcutaneous, which tend to form on the head [ 117 ], suggesting that sun exposure may be a risk factor, as it is for angiosarcoma (AS) of the head/face/neck/scalp (HFNS) in humans [ 118 ].…”

“…The main types of HSA in cats are dermal/cutaneous, subcutaneous/intramuscular and visceral (involving internal organs) [ 117 ]. The most common forms of HSA in cats are dermal/cutaneous and subcutaneous, which tend to form on the head [ 117 ], suggesting that sun exposure may be a risk factor, as it is for angiosarcoma (AS) of the head/face/neck/scalp (HFNS) in humans [ 118 ]. This is in contrast to dogs, in which visceral forms, particularly the splenic and right atrial/auricular, are more common [ 15 ].…”

“…This is in contrast to dogs, in which visceral forms, particularly the splenic and right atrial/auricular, are more common [ 15 ]. Surgical removal of dermal/cutaneous HSAs in cats tends to be curative, with the subcutaneous forms tending to recur after surgery due to the difficulty for complete excision [ 117 ]. Surgical resection of visceral tumours may be possible for localized disease, however, as in dogs, metastatic disease is commonly already present at the time of diagnosis in cats [ 15 , 119 ].…”

Pilot safety evaluation of doxorubicin chemotherapy combined with non-specific immunotherapy (Immunocidin®) for canine splenic hemangiosarcoma

“…Reliable prognostic factors for canine HSA include tumor location, stage, and more recently, thrombocytopenia at diagnosis [ 7 – 10 , 27 , 36 , 37 ]. Dogs with visceral HSA have a shorter survival time compared with those with dermal HSA, if treated with surgery alone (86 days vs 780 days) [ 9 , 37 ].…”

Identification of genomic alterations with clinical impact in canine splenic hemangiosarcoma

“…1 Despite aggressive treatment, median survival times range from 4-8 months due to a high metastatic rate and rapid tumor recurrence. 2 Unfortunately, patient outcomes have not improved significantly in the past 30 years. 3,4 In the era of precision medicine, understanding the genomic landscape of HSA will likely facilitate identification and implementation of new, more effective therapeutic strategies.…”