Description
Cancer of the spleen is frequently seen in large breed dogs and by far the most
common type of cancer is hemangiosarcoma, a malignant form of cancer that
frequently spreads to other organ systems.
Other, less common forms of cancer of the spleen include :
- Hemangiomas (benign)
- Leiomyosarcomas
- Fibrosarcomas
- Non-neoplastic hematomas also occur
Definitive diagnosis can only be made bby histopathological examination of a
removed spleen, or biopsy of lesions. Survival times are much better for the
non-hemangiosarcoma tumours.
If the spleen is not removed repeated hemorrhages are likely, and the risk
of spread increases greatly.