Hemostatic evaluation in dogs with lymphoma - Systematic review

Lymphoma is characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant lymphocytes and it is the most common hematopoietic cancer in dogs. Affected patients may exhibit increased thrombotic risk due to cancer-associated dysregulation of hemostatic pathways, including tissue factor overexpression in tumor stroma, activation of plasminogen inhibitors and coagulation proteases and systemic inflammation.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of lymphoma on hemostatic function in canine patients.

This review was elaborated in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews (v6.3, 2022). Eligibility criteria encompassed original studies, published in databases, 1960-2024, assessing hemostatic variables in canine patients with confirmed diagnosis of lymphoma. Analyzed parameters included: platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, antithrombin (AT), fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs), D-dimer concentration, platelet aggregation and viscoelastic testing.

Dogs with lymphoma demonstrated platelet counts, aPTT, and AT activity within reference intervals. Increased viscoelasticity and elevated FDPs/D-dimer levels, indicating hypercoagulability.

Canine lymphoma is linked to an increased thrombotic risk, reflected by hypercoagulable profiles and elevated FDPs and D-dimers, likely driven by tumor-associated procoagulant activity and inflammation. Platelet dynamics are variable and influenced by chemotherapy, and comparisons are limited by lymphoma heterogeneity and study variability. Future research should standardize lymphoma classification, monitor hemostatic changes longitudinally, and correlate biomarkers with clinical outcomes to improve risk stratification and therapy.