Survival times in dogs with right atrial hemangiosarcoma treated by means of surgical resection with or without adjuvant chemotherapy: 23 cases (1986-2000).
OBJECTIVE
To determine survival times in dogs with right atrial hemangiosarcoma treated by means of pericardectomy and tumor resection, with or without adjuvant chemotherapy, and identify complications associated with treatment.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
23 dogs.


METHODS
Dogs were included only if the diagnosis was confirmed histologically.


RESULTS
The most common initial complaints included acute collapse (8 [35%] dogs), anorexia or inappetence (8 [35%]), and lethargy (8 [35%]). The most common physical examination abnormalities included muffled heart sounds (12 [52%] dogs), tachycardia (7 [30%]), and weak pulses (7 [30%]). Postoperative complications developed in 12 (52%) dogs; however, most complications were minor. Twenty (87%) dogs were discharged from the hospital. Survival time was significantly longer in the 8 dogs that received adjuvant chemotherapy (mean, 164 days; median, 175 days) than in the 15 dogs that did not receive chemotherapy (mean, 46 days; median, 42 days). Dogs that received chemotherapy were significantly younger and had significantly lower WBC counts than did dogs that did not receive chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that in dogs with right atrial hemangiosarcoma, surgical resection of the tumor was associated with a low complication rate and complications that did arise typically were minor. In addition, use of adjuvant chemotherapy following resection was associated with significantly longer survival times, compared with resection alone.
Weisse
Chick
C
Section of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010, USA.
Soares
Nancy
N
Beal
Matthew W
MW
Steffey
Michele A
MA
Drobatz
Kenneth J
KJ
Henry
Carolyn J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010492:Pericardiectomy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome