Haemangiosarcoma in dogs: morphological and clinical findings

Abstract

Haemangiosarcomas in 24 dogs (average age 9 years) were found in the spleen (11 cases) or skin (9) or in bone, heart, liver or tongue (1 each); haemoperitoneum was present in 9 dogs. Metastases to the liver or lungs or both were found in 12 dogs, and to the peritoneal cavity in 8. German Shepherds (13 cases) showed particular susceptibility. Dogs that died or were killed because of tumours in the abdomen or lungs showed weakness, anaemia, weight loss and abdominal distension. Grossly the tumours contained vascular spaces lined with elongated spindle cells that were empty or contained variable amounts of blood. The spaces formed channels, or were papillary or cavernous in shape. Nests of solid tumour cells with large hyperchromatic nuclei were found in all cases.