title: Hemangiosarcoma in cats: 53 cases (1992-2002).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the biological behavior and prognostic factors associated with hemangiosarcoma in cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  53 cats with hemangiosarcoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were retrieved from a state veterinary diagnostic laboratory, 3 veterinary colleges, and a private practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cutaneous and subcutaneous tumor locations were more common than visceral (abdominal and thoracic) and oral locations. Surgical excision was the primary treatment in 47 cats. Tumor-free surgical margins were more likely in cutaneous than subcutaneous lesions and were associated with longer survival times. Local recurrence was observed in 6 of 12 cats with subcutaneous lesions for which follow-up was available. Metastatic disease was detected in 5 of 13 cats with adequate staging at initial diagnosis. A sixth cat had pulmonary metastases at the time of euthanasia. In 4 of 10 cats with visceral hemangiosarcoma, the diagnosis was made at necropsy or they were euthanized at the time of diagnosis. Adjuvant therapy was uncommonly used. Eighteen of the 21 known deaths or euthanasias were tumor-related. Higher mitotic counts (> 3 in 10 hpfs) were associated with shorter survival times.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma was more biologically aggressive than the cutaneous form and was more likely to recur locally and result in euthanasia or death of the cat. Metastatic potential of the cutaneous and subcutaneous forms may be greater than previously reported. Visceral hemangiosarcoma is associated with a grave prognosis.
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors: Chad M
authors: CM
authors: Johannes
authors: Carolyn J
authors: CJ
authors: Henry
authors: Susan E
authors: SE
authors: Turnquist
authors: Terrance A
authors: TA
authors: Hamilton
authors: Annette N
authors: AN
authors: Smith
authors: Ruthanne
authors: R
authors: Chun
authors: Jeff W
authors: JW
authors: Tyler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome