Splenic liposarcoma in dogs: 13 cases (2002-2012)
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|December 8, 2015
Summary
Splenic liposarcoma is a rare canine cancer. Survival in dogs with this splenic tumor depends on metastasis at surgery and tumor grade.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Oncology
- Canine Cancer Research
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Splenic masses are common in dogs.
- Liposarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of adipose tissue.
- Splenic liposarcoma requires specific diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize clinical findings, diagnostics, surgical treatment, and outcomes for dogs diagnosed with splenic liposarcoma.
- To identify prognostic factors influencing survival in canine splenic liposarcoma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 13 client-owned dogs diagnosed with splenic liposarcoma between 2002 and 2012.
- Data collected included clinical signs, complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile, imaging, surgical details, histologic grade, and patient outcome.
- Telephone interviews with referring veterinarians were conducted.
Main Results:
- The median survival time (MST) for all dogs was 623 days.
- Metastasis at surgery was a negative prognostic indicator (MST 45 days vs. 767 days for non-metastatic cases).
- Histologic grade significantly impacted MST: Grade 1 (1009 days) had better outcomes than Grade 2 (206 days) or Grade 3 (74 days).
Conclusions:
- Splenic liposarcoma is a rare but important differential diagnosis for splenic masses in dogs.
- Prognosis is significantly influenced by the presence of metastasis at the time of surgery and the tumor's histologic grade.
