Primary nodal hemangiosarcoma in four dogs

Abstract

CASE DESCRIPTION 4 dogs with a slow-growing mass in the cervical region were evaluated. CLINICAL FINDINGS All dogs had no clinical signs at the time of the evaluation. There was no apparent evidence of visceral metastases or other primary tumor based on available CT or MRI data for any dog. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME For each dog, surgery to remove the mass was performed. Histologic examination of the excised tissue revealed a completely excised grade 1 or 2 lymph node hemangiosarcoma. All dogs received adjuvant chemotherapy; 2 dogs underwent curative intent chemotherapy, 1 dog underwent metronomic treatment with cyclophosphamide, and 1 dog underwent metronomic treatment with chlorambucil. The survival time was 259 days in 1 dog; 3 dogs were still alive 615, 399, and 365 days after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Primary nodal hemangiosarcoma in dogs is a rare and, to the authors' knowledge, previously undescribed disease that appears to develop in the cervical lymph nodes as a slow-growing mass or masses. Surgical excision and adjunct treatment resulted in long survival times for 3 of the 4 dogs of the present report. Given the aggressive biologic behavior of hemangiosarcomas in other body locations, adjunct chemotherapy should be considered for affected dogs, although its role in the cases described in this report was unclear. Additional clinical information is required to further characterize the biologic behavior of this tumor type and determine the expected survival times and associated risk factors in dogs.

Thyroid haemangiosarcoma in a seven‐year‐old female Shih Tzu

“…Since HSA is a tumour of vascular endothelium, they may arise from any tissue with a blood supply, but certain organs are more commonly affected than others 15. Primary nodal HSA affecting the cervical lymph nodes, although infrequent, have been described previously in dogs 16. Considering the absence of normal thyroid tissue in any histopathology sections, it can be considered as a potential differential diagnosis.…”

Omental hemangiosarcoma in five dogs

“…HSA can occur in virtually any tissue in the body due to its vascular endothelial origin, but is most commonly found in the spleen, right atrium or auricle, skin or subcutaneous tissue, or liver 1,3 . Other rare anatomic variant sites include, but are not limited to, the os penis, oral cavity, kidney, bone, muscle, pulmonary artery, tongue, urinary bladder, peritoneum, spine, lymph node, and falciform fat 1–10 . Sites reported for metastasis include the lung, liver, and omentum 1 .…”

“…1,3 Other rare anatomic variant sites include, but are not limited to, the os penis, oral cavity, kidney, bone, muscle, pulmonary artery, tongue, urinary bladder, peritoneum, spine, lymph node, and falciform fat. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Sites reported for metastasis include the lung, liver, and omentum. 1 Synchronous disease with multiple primary sites is occasionally seen in dogs.…”