Finding out that your pet has cancer can be heartbreaking, especially
if it is an aggressive type that is difficult or impossible to
treat. Hemangiosarcoma -- a
tumor of cancerous blood vessel cells -- falls into that
category. These tumors can occur anywhere in -- or on -- the
body, and they tend to metastasize rapidly, causing dangerous
internal bleeding.
In general, the prognosis for cats with hemangiosarcoma is not
good. However, depending on the location of the tumor, the
degree of spreading, and how well your cat responds to
treatment, your veterinarian may be able to extend their life
by up to a year.
Types of Hemangiosarcoma in Cats
Hemangiosarcomas are much more common in dogs than they are in
cats. However, cats can still develop these tumors, and when
they do, the tumors tend to be located one of four places:
-
On the skin (dermal)
- Under the skin (subcutaneous)
- Internal organs (visceral)
- In the mouth, usually on the gums (oral)
The cause of hemangiosarcomas in cats is not well understood,
but the fact that two of the four main types are located on the
head suggest that exposure to sun may be a risk factor, just as
it is in humans, as well as exposure to certain chemicals and
insecticides.
Treatment for Hemangiosarcoma in Cats
Treatment will depend on the location of the tumor as well as
the degree of the cancer’s spread. In most cases, a combination
of surgery and systemic therapy (such as chemotherapy or
radiation) will be the best option for extending your cat’s
life.
- Dermal and subcutaneous hemangiosarcomas are the easiest to
remove surgically, and thus have the best prognosis of any
type. However, subcutaneous hemangiosarcomas can be difficult
to remove completely and have around a 60% recurrence rate.
Cats with skin hemangiosarcomas treated with surgery have an
average survival time of around 1 year.
- A visceral hemangiosarcoma is the most aggressive type, and
approximately 30% of affected cats will be sick enough to
warrant euthanasia.
- Some cats with visceral hemangiosarcomas will be candidates
for surgery. If the tumor is located on the spleen, the organ
will be removed (splenectomy). Surgery may also be an option
for tumors located in the liver or heart.
- Tumors in the heart may also be treated with a pericardial
tap, which is a surgical procedure in which a needle and
catheter are used to remove fluid from the sac around the
heart.
- Blood transfusions may be useful if the hemangiosarcoma has
resulted in anemia.
- Systemic therapy like chemotherapy or radiation is not a
cure, but it may work to slow the growth of the tumor and thus
extend the cat’s life. While surgery alone may only extend a
cat’s life by 1 to 3 months, surgery plus chemotherapy or
radiation may extend it by 8 to 9 months.
If you notice any symptoms of
hemangiosarcoma -- including lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, or a visible or felt
tumor -- contact your
veterinarian right away. They will examine your cat and
perform a series of diagnostic tests to determine the best
treatment option. The below information can help give a little
more information about the same.
Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs and Cats
Hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the blood cells, is a sad
and tough diagnosis for any pet owner to receive, since a cure
is unlikely with this aggressive and fast-moving cancer. The
prognosis for a pet with this diagnosis will vary depending on
the location of the hemangiosarcoma, with tumors found in the skin or
subcutaneously having the best prognosis. Regardless of
location, treatments are available that can help to extend a
pet’s life. Hemangiosarcoma in dogs is fairly common, and it
can also occur in cats.
The tumors that develop as a result of this cancer generally occur in the
spleen, heart, or liver of dogs, and in the spleen,
liver, or skin of cats.
However, the tumors can occur anywhere, since they are formed
from blood cells.
Learn how to detect some of the signs that your pet may have
this form of cancer, and some of the treatment options that are
available.
Hemangiosarcoma Symptoms
As with many pet illnesses, the symptoms of hemangiosarcoma are
a general lack of wellness: exhaustion, depression, and a disinterest in food and
exercise. Anemia (which can be detected by
pale gums) can also be a sign of a tumor that has ruptured in
your pet’s liver or spleen. A pet’s complete collapse is an
indicator that the cancer has progressed to a late stage.
When the tumors develop on the
skin -- either of the dermal variety, directly on the
skin, or the hypodermal variety, just below the skin -- they
can often be felt. Tumors that are on the skin are typically
raised and red or black in color.
Treatment Options for Hemangiosarcoma
Perhaps the worst part of a hemangiosarcoma diagnosis is that a
cure is rarely possible, with the exception being
hemangiosarcoma that develops in a pet’s skin. Surgery to
remove the dermal or hypodermal variants of hemangiosarcoma can
be an effective treatment if the cancer has not metastasized
throughout the pet’s body and the surgery is able to remove all
the cancerous cells. In general, this surgery is followed up
with chemotherapy for
a better prognosis.
When hemangiosarcoma is present within a dog or cat’s organs,
the prognosis is generally less positive. However, a
combination of surgery and either chemotherapy or radiation can be
used to extend your pet’s life.
- If the tumor is present within the pet’s spleen, a
splenectomy, or surgery to remove the spleen, will be the next
step.
- Surgery can also sometimes be a viable option when the
tumor is present within the heart or liver.
- If a cat or dog is very anemic, transfusions can be
helpful.
- If the tumor is within a pet’s heart, a pericardial tap can
be done to remove fluid buildup in the area surrounding the
heart.
Most treatment options will result in extending a pet’s life by
around six months, although treatment for hemangiosarcoma found
in the skin is more successful, and tends to extend a cat or
dog’s life by up to a year.
More on Cancer In Cats
Cat Tumors And Cat Skin Disease -
How To Detect Them And What You Can Do
Mast Cell Cancer In Dogs And
Cats
Cat Symptom Checker:
Match Your Cat's Symptoms To Health Conditions
