How long can a dog live with soft tissue sarcoma? Essential Tips

WHAT IS SOFT TISSUE SARCOMA IN DOGS?

Soft tissue sarcomas are a broad category of cancerous tumor that develops in the skin and connective tissues beneath it. These tumors can arise almost anywhere in a dog’s body; they might appear as a lump or be hidden from view internally. Sarcomas in dogs are either low, intermediate, or high grade. These cancerous tumors can spread to surrounding tissue, and in rare cases, organs. Luckily, most sarcomas are low or intermediate grade, meaning that they are unlikely to spread.

There are over 70 types of sarcoma in dogs; these are some of the most common:

Spindle Cell Sarcoma In Dogs – The cells in a spindle cell sarcoma appear spindle-shaped when viewed under a microscope.

Histiocytic Sarcoma In Dogs – Histiocytic sarcomas appear in the histiocytic cells (immune cells) and usually occur in older dogs. They primarily appear in the legs and have a moderate to high chance of spreading. Any breed can get a histiocytic sarcoma, but Rottweilers, Bernese mountain dogs, and flat-coated retrievers are more likely to get these tumors.

Fibrous Sarcoma In Dogs/ Fibrosarcoma In Dogs – Fibrous Sarcoma originates in the fibroblast cells (a standard connective tissue cell in dogs), usually the limbs and mouth. Large breeds are more likely to develop a fibrosarcoma.

Synovial Sarcoma In Dogs – Synovial sarcomas develop in the lining of the joints; they have a moderate to high chance of spreading to the lymph nodes or lungs.

Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs – Hemangiosarcoma develops in a dogs blood vessels, which gives them a relatively high chance of spreading. Hemangiosarcoma often originates in the spleen and is sometimes referred to as a splenic sarcoma. Ruptured hemangiosarcoma tumors on the spleen is a cause of collapse and sudden death in older dogs.

Liposarcoma In Dogs – Liposarcoma is a tumor that develops from fat tissue. Find them on the abdomen, limbs, or chest. They have a low to moderate chance of spreading, but they can get big enough to significantly damage surrounding tissues and organs.

Canine Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Life Expectancy

You might not have heard about soft-tissue sarcomas in dogs until your vet pronounced these words. Whether your vet suspects or confirms a soft-tissue sarcoma in your dog, you will likely have many questions. A great number of pet owners arent aware of the many conditions that dogs can develop, and vet visits often dont leave much time for questions, so its quite common to resort to the internet to learn more.

This article is the summation of my research on this topic. You can learn a lot online as long as you rely on reputable websites, and the sources in this article will bring you to websites that you may find useful. Researching your dogs medical condition lets you know what to expect and what follow-up questions to ask at your next appointment.

What Are Soft-Tissue Sarcomas in Dogs?

You may be aware that medical terms that end in “oma” often suggest nothing good. Indeed, the word “sarcoma” comes from the following Greek words:

sarx, meaning flesh

oma, meaning growth

So a soft-tissue sarcoma, as its name implies, is simply a fleshy growth found in the dogs soft tissues like fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, and the deeper skin tissues.

These tumors are found on connective tissues, which consist of the material that holds your dogs body structures together. As such, they can be present in any part of the dogs body.

Sarcomas account for about 15% of all the skin tumors affecting dogs, according to veterinary cancer experts. They are commonly found in middle-aged dogs as solitary masses and go ignored for a long period of time; some can grow quickly. Large dog breeds are commonly predisposed to them and male dogs appear to be more likely to get them.

Originate as pseudo-capsules

Develop poorly defined margins

Characterized by finger-like projections that infiltrate between muscles and layers of connective tissues

When you touch these growths, they may be easily movable, or more commonly, they may be fixed in place—well attached to underlying tissues as if they had roots. These tumors are generally considered minimally invasive, meaning that they are unlikely to metastasize. It is quite uncommon that they spread to the bone.

In the occasional event that they do metastasize, their preferred sites include the lungs, followed by the lymph nodes. These tumors are usually not painful but can be irritating and interfere with movement when they get large. However, just because they are minimally invasive doesnt mean they arent serious. Soft-tissue sarcomas, when left untreated, can have a big impact on the quality of a dogs life.

Sarcomas are given different names depending on the type of tissue affected. The following are some subcategories of soft-tissue sarcomas:

Hemangiosarcoma: originating from the blood vessels

Fibrosarcoma: originating from fibrous tissue

Liposarcoma: originating from fat

Lymphangiosarcoma: originating from the lymph vessels

Leiomyosarcoma: originating from smooth muscle

Peripheral nerve sheath tumor: originating from nervous tissue

Rhabdomyosarcoma: originating from skeletal muscle

Synovial Sarcoma: originating from connective tissue lining the cavities of joints and tendon sheaths

5 Things You Need to Know about Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Dogs: Vlog 112

As with human beings, companion animals can suffer from various types of cancer. These can appear on almost any part of the body and present with various symptoms, in part dependent on the location. One of the most common symptoms is the presence of a lump, although it is important to note that lumps can be of varying types of neoplasms, not all of which are malignant. Soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer which presents on soft tissues such as the skin and organs. It is a malignant type of tumor and, unfortunately, is a common canine cancer.

At AnimalWised, we look at soft tissue sarcoma in dogs by understanding their symptoms and treatment. We also look at possible causes and risk factors for certain dogs. You may also be interested in: