Doxorubicin as a Rescue Agent for Presumed Neoplastic Disease Causing Acute Intracavitary or Pulmonary Hemorrhage

Doxorubicin was used to treat 30 dogs presenting with acute onset of hemorrhage suspected to be caused by neoplastic disease, presumed hemangiosarcoma (HSAa), where surgical intervention was not possible. This study evaluated the effect of doxorubicin on duration of effusion, time to re-effusion, and whether systemic chemotherapy might provide a medical option for patients that do not undergo surgery. When assuming the last point of contact as a date of passing, overall median survival time (MSTb) without censoring was 82 days. Statistical analysis revealed that weight and additional chemotherapy were associated with improved MST. Dogs >15 kg had a more favorable MST of 126 days, compared to dogs <15 kg who had MST of 54 days. Patients treated with an additional chemotherapeutic agent showed a positive association with MST of 156 days as compared to 73 days. Findings revealed that time to re-effusion was extended in patients >15 kg with a median time to re-effusion of 85 days compared to 0.1 days in patients weighing <15 kg. This retrospective study provides a possible alternative to euthanasia or forgoing treatment for patients with acutely hemorrhagic neoplasms where surgery is not pursued.