Bone Cancer (Hemangiosarcoma) in Dogs

Hemangiosarcoma of the Bone in Dogs

Hemangiosarcoma is a fast spreading tumor of the endothelial cells — a group of cells that form to line the inner surface of blood vessels, including veins, arteries, intestines, and the bronchi of lungs. Hemangiosarcomas affect the bones and may compromise the integrity of the bone involved, resulting in loss of strength leading to bone fractures. Such fractures may be seen without any prior trauma and are characteristic of cancers that affect the bones. This tumor commonly affects the bones of the limbs but may also affect other bones in the body, like the rib bones.

As with many types of cancers, hemangiosarcoma is usually diagnosed in older dogs.

Symptoms and Types

• If tumor is on leg, lameness and/or swelling
• Fracture due to weakness in bone
• Swelling at affected site
• Difficult breathing may be present if tumor involves the rib
• Pale mucous membranes (i.e., nostrils, lips, ears, genitals)
• Anemia due to blood loss from ruptured tumor

Causes

The exact cause for hemangiosarcoma of the bone is still unknown.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your dog, including a complete blood profile, a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. These tests may indicate whether any of the organs are being affected, and whether any other conditions are present. Some of the conditions that may be concurrent with hemangiosarcoma are regenerative anemia, which is determined by an abnormally high number of immature red blood cells; an abnormally low level of protein in the blood (hypoproteinemia); an abnormally high white blood cell count (leukocytosis), which can be indicative that the body is fighting off a diseased condition; a low level of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia), which are responsible for blood clotting; and blood cells of unequal or abnormal size (anisocytosis and poikilocytosis, respectively).

Radiographic studies of the affected bone will also reveal valuable information to help your veterinarian in the diagnosis of this tumor. Computed tomography (CT) scans can help to determine the extent of bone involvement and also help your veterinarian in planning an effective surgery. Biopsy may be attempted for a definitive diagnosis, but this may not be practical for this type of tumor, since it originates in the vessels.

A confirmative diagnosis may be based on finding spaces within the vessels that are filled with red blood cells, clots, dead cellular debris, and variable tumor cells.