Canine conjunctival hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma: a retrospective evaluation of 108 cases (1989–2004)

Abstract

Canine conjunctival tumors of vascular endothelial origin are common, although under-reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of and potential risk factors for these tumors. This study evaluated 108 cases (70 hemangiomas, 38 hemangiosarcomas) from 8300 canine submissions between 1989 and 2004. Signalment, location, pigmentation, size, duration, diagnosis, margins, ancillary therapy, and geographic location were recorded. Follow-up information was available for 49 cases. Each case was matched with two unaffected controls and compared using logistic regression analysis. Average age upon presentation was 8.6 years; there was no sex predilection. Risk of conjunctival tumors was statistically different among breed groups (P = 0.0010), demonstrating a propensity to occur in groups likely to have increased outdoor activity. Primary involvement occurred within nonpigmented epithelium along the leading edge of the nictitating membrane (41/108) and temporal bulbar conjunctiva (33/108). The etiology remains unknown; however, the strong site predilection, involvement of nonpigmented epithelium, and development within specific breed classes strongly suggest ultraviolet (UV) light as a significant risk factor. In a full-logistic model including breed, gender, age, and UV exposure, UV was not a statistically significant variable (P = 0.1215). In a reduced-model including UV only, significance was approached (P = 0.0696) and posthoc contrast demonstrated a significant linear trend with increasing UV exposure (P = 0.0147). In separate analysis of risks associated with hemangiosarcoma, compared with hemangioma, breed was not significant while increasing UV exposure was significant (P = 0.0381). Early surgical therapy is recommended and may be curative; however, recurrence is possible and more likely with hemangiosarcomas (11/20).

Electroporation Enhances Bleomycin Efficacy in Cats with Periocular Carcinoma and Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head

“…However, animals with pale skin and hair color are at increased risk of solar injury 1. The 2 most prevalent neoplastic lesions induced by ultraviolet irradiation are cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in dogs and cats, and cutaneous hemangiosarcoma 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…”

Considerations about ocular neoplasia of dogs and cats

“…In dogs, primary involvement occurred within nonpigmented epithelium along the leading edge of the nictitating membrane and temporal bulbar conjunctiva ( Figure 1D, E) (PIRIE et al, 2006). PIRIE et al (2006), found that the numbers of confirmed cases Ciência Rural, v.40, n.10, out, 2010.…”

“…Despite their high incidence, a definitive diagnosis is not always performed (PIRIE et al, 2006). In a large case series that examined 70 hemangiomas and 38 hemangiosarcomas of dogs, and 6 hemangiomas and 2 hemangiosarcomas of cats, revealed that average age upon presentation was 8.6 years in dogs, and 10.6 years in cats; there was no sex or breed predisposition for dogs, whereas domestic short hair cats where overrepresented (PIRIE et al, 2006).…”

“…Recent data showed that estrogen receptor-alfa may be involved in promoting the invasive behavior associated with hemangiosarcomas of dogs (CHANDLER et al, 2009). In dogs, it have been demonstrated that early surgical removal is nearly 100% curative for hemangiomas; recurrence, however, occur in 55% of cases of hemangiosarcoma (PIRIE et al, 2006).…”

“…The third eyelid was the most common anatomical site of involvement (PIRIE, 2006;DUBIELZIG, 2002). Although tumor re-growth of any excised tumor was not observed, one should considerate that recurrence is possible, once a low number of cats were enrolled in one study (n=8) (PIRIE, 2006;DUBIELZIG, 2002).…”