Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a type of cancer involving the cells lining the small blood vessels. It can affect the skin surface and the area just under the skin, which is called the subcutaneous tissue. It can also affect internal organs like the spleen, liver, heart and other vital organs. The internal form leads to internal bleeding, which when excessive can be life threatening.
Skin Forms of Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma of the skin appears as red to dark red growths in the surface, frequently on the belly and inner thigh and legs. Short haired, white skin dog breeds, such as white pit bulls are more prone to have this type of cancer. The cancer can also involve tissue just under the skin layer, called subcutaneous tissue. This subcutaneous form may behave more aggressively and spread to internal organs.
Internal form of Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma of internal organs often involve the spleen, liver, heart and can spread to other organs resulting internal hemorrhage (blood loss). Bleeding can occur intermittently and in small amounts, or rapidly and result in life-threatening blood loss and death.
Signs of the skin form of Hemangiosarcoma
These appear as red to dark red lesions on the skin surface primarily on the belly or inner thigh areas and legs, but can be found anywhere on the body. The subcutaneous forms are not so easily detected because the overlying skin may appear normal.
Signs of internal Hemangiosarcoma
Pallor – pale gums
Weakness, exhaustion
Sudden collapse
Distended abdomen
Heavy breathing with or without coughing
A dog with early stages of hemangiosarcoma, where the tumor is small or the bleeding is minimal, may show no outward signs. Symptoms appear when tumor breaks open and bleeds into body cavities, particularly the abdomen. In advanced stages is anemia, weakness, swollen blood filled abdomen, difficulty breathing, enlarged liver or spleen. Hemangiosarcoma in the heart the tumor is located at the right base of the heart. In order to function properly the heart must be able to fill with life given blood and contract to distribute this blood to the body; but the tumor in this location leaks blood into the sac (called the pericardium covering the heart). As the sac fills with blood the heart is compressed and cannot contract and relax normally This condition is known as cardiac tamponade, and can cause death.
Diagnosis of Hemangiosarcoma
Radiographs of the chest and abdomen
Ultrasound of the abdomen and heart
Blood test
Abdominocentesis (taping the abdomen with a needle and extracting fluid for analysis)
Biopsy of lesions on the skin, subcutaneous tissue, spleen, liver, or heart
Treatment of Hemangiosarcoma
Surgical excision of the skin or subcutaneous lesions
Surgical removal of the spleen
Pericardiocentesis (taping off the bloody fluid in the heart sac) or partial to full removal of the heart sac
Chemotherapy
Chinese herb Yunnan Baiyo – a Chinese herbal remedy that helps clot the blood. This may be helpful in animals with small bleeds that are not undergoing surgical removal of the tumor, or in non-surgical candidates.
Prognosis
The skin form of hemangiosarcoma carries the best survival. Complete excision of the tumors can be curative. Subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma can spread deeper into other organs, so early removal and close monitoring is important. Internal hemangiosarcoma treat by removal of the spleen and no evidence of metastasis to other organ carries a more favorable prognosis than if there is evidence of metastasis. In the latter case, surgery is usually not beneficial. Heart HSA requires draining the heart sac either by creating a small window in the sac or taping off the fluid with a needle. Survival time with internal malignant HSA is short, a few months.
AT DR 4 PETS we believe an informed pet parent is more empowered to access preventive care and early detection of disease conditions, thereby improving the quality-of-life of their precious fur baby. We encourage regular check ups with your veterinary professional. If however, father time or ill health brings your pet to the end-of-life, we want to be there to help. We provide dignified and compassionate in-home euthanasia to the feline and canine population of Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Agoura, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Chatsworth, Porter Ranch, Calabasas, and neighboring communities. Give us a call at (805) 494-3339.
