Canine Angiosarcoma: Understanding This Dog Cancer
Understanding the Causes of the Disease
The exact cause of the disease remains unclear. It is more common in dogs, particularly in adult and senior canines, with male dogs being more susceptible than females. The disease often affects the trunk, lips, inguinal area, and extremities of the body. There are breedspecific predispositions, with German Shepherds, Boxers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs being more prone to the condition.
Key Symptoms and Clinical Variations
The clinical presentation includes the appearance of purple or red, circular or oval nodules under the skin or in fatty tissue. These nodules have indistinct borders and can sometimes resemble abrasion scars. The vascular endothelioma grows rapidly and aggressively, potentially reaching significant sizes. It can quickly penetrate the skin to form ulcers with bleeding, accompanied by large areas of necrosis and thrombosis. The tumors lack clear boundaries and capsules, growing infiltratively. They are brittle and easily fractured, with a mottled appearance due to irregular bleeding and necrosis. The cut surface may appear red or black. Soft tissue vascular endothelioma has a high propensity for metastasis, often spreading to the lungs and liver.
Diagnostic Considerations
A diagnosis can be made based on physical examination and histopathological analysis. The pathological examination reveals that the vascular endothelioma is composed of spindly, intensely stained cells in a梭形 or oval shape, forming irregular, interconnected, slitlike, or branched vascular lumens, with mitotic figures being widespread.
Preventive and Treatment Measures
Given the aggressive nature of vascular endothelioma and its tendency to metastasize, the prognosis is generally poor. However, surgical treatment and chemotherapy can help extend the life of affected dogs. Some cases progress slowly, allowing for a longer survival time postsurgery. While extensive surgical removal of the affected area can temporarily alleviate the condition, it is often not curative, especially in cases where metastasis has occurred, as recurrence rates are high and the outlook is generally unfavorable.
In conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy should be considered. Chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide and vincristine can be used.
