Feline Visceral Hemangiosarcoma

Abstract

Background: Feline visceral hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is an uncommon tumor, and the clinical progression and outcome are rarely reported.Hypothesis: The prognosis of feline visceral HSA is poor because of severe clinical signs, anemia, and a high rate of metastasis. Animals: The medical records of 26 client-owned cats with visceral HSA were reviewed. Methods: Multi-institutional retrospective study. Results:The most common historical findings and clinical signs included lethargy, anorexia, respiratory difficulty, collapse, and vocalizing. Eighty-two percent of cats were anemic, and aspartate transaminase was increased in 53% of the study population. Metastatic lung disease was noted in 33% of affected cats. In 75% of the cats, abdominal ultrasonography identified a specific location of HSA. However, ultrasound identification of all multifocal lesions was successful only in 3/9 cats (33%). Tumor location was identified in the following organs: liver (35%), small intestine (31%), large intestine (31%), abdominal lymph node (31%), mesentery (27%), spleen (23%), lung (19%), omentum (12%), brain (8%), pancreas (8%), and diaphragm (8%). Multifocal HSA was noted in 77% of cats. Three cats received adjuvant chemotherapy (doxorubicin). Seventy-one percent of euthanized cats were euthanized within 1 day of diagnosis. The median survival time of the remaining cats (n 5 6) was 77 days (range, 23-296 days).Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Feline visceral HSA is most often multifocal at the time of diagnosis. The prognosis appears poor, and the number of cats receiving chemotherapy is low.

Comparison of CD34, CD31, and Factor VIII–Related Antigen Immunohistochemical Expression in Feline Vascular Neoplasms and CD34 Expression in Feline Nonvascular Neoplasms

“…5,12,15,24 Vascular neoplasms are identified by the formation of blood-filled vascular spaces lined by neoplastic endothelial cells. 11 In well-differentiated vascular neoplasms, diagnosis is straightforward and seldom requires immunohistochemistry.…”

Pancreas

“…The cyst remained unchanged on follow-up examinations during several years and was presumed to be congenital. 107 These images were made using a mechanical transducer.…”

Gastrointestinal Tract

“…46,57,67,[101][102][103][104] A single case report of a benign hemangioma, described as a well-defined cavitary mass, has been reported in the ileum of a dog. 44,45,49,50,[106][107][108][109] Adenomatous polyps have been described in the duodenum of cats, 110 but these have not been documented ultrasonographically. 44,45,49,50,[106][107][108][109] Adenomatous polyps have been described in the duodenum of cats, 110 but these have not been documented ultrasonographically.…”