Incidence of malignancy and outcomes for dogs undergoing splenectomy for incidentally detected nonruptured splenic nodules or masses: 105 cases (2009–2013)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of malignancy and survival rates of dogs that underwent splenectomy for incidentally detected nonruptured splenic masses or nodules. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 105 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs that underwent splenectomy at a veterinary teaching hospital between 2009 and 2013 were examined to identify patients with incidentally detected nonruptured splenic masses or nodules without associated hemoperitoneum. Only dogs with histologically confirmed diagnoses were included. Information regarding signalment, preoperative diagnostic tests, perioperative blood product transfusions, splenic mass diameter, histologic findings, adjunctive treatments, and survival time was collected and analyzed. RESULTS 74 of 105 (70.5%) patients had benign splenic lesions and 31 (29.5%) had malignant neoplasia, most commonly hemangiosarcoma (18/31 [58%]). The hazard of death decreased as preoperative PCV increased; histopathologic diagnosis of malignant neoplasia was significantly associated with an increased hazard of death. Median life expectancy of dogs with benign and malignant lesions was 436 and 110 days, respectively; 41 of 74 patients with benign lesions and 3 of 31 patients with malignant neoplasia were still alive at study conclusion. Median life expectancy of dogs with hemangiosarcoma was 132 days; only 7 of these 18 dogs received any adjunctive chemotherapeutic treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Incidentally found, nonruptured splenic masses or nodules without associated hemoperitoneum were most commonly benign. Results suggested that life expectancy for these dogs with incidentally detected benign or malignant splenic lesions that received prompt intervention was better than has previously been reported for other studied populations.

Histopathologic characteristics of biopsies from dogs undergoing surgery with concurrent gross splenic and hepatic masses: 125 cases (2012–2016)

“…processes [ 1 – 4 ]. Hemangiosarcoma has been reported by some researchers as the most common splenic mass in dogs [ 1 , 5 ]; however, others have reported higher prevalence of benign lesions [ 2 – 4 ]. In contrast, the prevalence of benign versus malignant lesions has been well established in dogs with non-traumatic hemoabdomens.…”

Clinical relevance of splenic nodules or heterogeneous splenic parenchyma assessed by cytologic evaluation of fine‐needle samples in 125 dogs (2011‐2015)

“…The ratio of non‐neoplastic to neoplastic splenic disease in dogs varies among previous studies. Studies that included all cases of splenomegaly or masses showed >50% prevalence of non‐neoplastic diseases …”

“…Sonographically detected splenic parenchymal changes can be found during abdominal ultrasound examination in asymptomatic patients or patients with unrelated disorders. Splenic nodules without associated splenomegaly are a relatively common finding in older dogs, are likely to be benign, and may require no further action in this age group . Nodular hyperplasia, hematoma, extramedullary hematopoiesis, congestion, and lymphoid hyperplasia are the most common non‐neoplastic lesions found in the spleen of dogs at necropsy or on biopsy, whereas the most common malignant neoplastic lesions of the spleen in dogs are hemangiosarcoma, histiocytic sarcoma, non‐angiomatous or nonlymphoid sarcomas, and lymphoma .…”

Occurrence of splenic leiomyosarcoma in dog: anatomopathological findings

“…However, in this case, despite the large mass dimensions, this complication did not occur. Studies indicate that hemangiosarcoma is more susceptible to rupture and bleeding prior to diagnosis when compared with other malignant splenic neoplasms (Spangler et al, 1994;Cleveland and Casale, 2016;Sherwood et al, 2016).…”