Evaluation of outcome associated with subcutaneous and intramuscular hemangiosarcoma treated with adjuvant doxorubicin in dogs: 21 cases (2001-2006).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate outcome associated with subcutaneous and intramuscular hemangiosarcomas treated with adjuvant doxorubicin in dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
21 dogs.


METHODS
Records of dogs with histologically confirmed hemangiosarcoma, no detectable metastasis at initial evaluation, and adequate local tumor control were included. Age, sex, number of treatments, treatment interval, radiation therapy, and concurrent use of cyclophosphamide or deracoxib were evaluated for associations with disease-free interval (DFI) or survival time. Three to 6 cycles of doxorubicin were planned. Disease-free interval was defined as time of definitive surgery to time of local recurrence, metastasis, or both. Survival time was defined as the beginning of the DFI to time of death.


RESULTS
17 tumors were subcutaneous, and 4 were intramuscular. Median age was 9 years. Median weight was 31.1 kg (68.4 lb). Five dogs received adjuvant radiation therapy. Median DFI for subcutaneous tumors was 1,553 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 469 days to not estimable). Median DFI for intramuscular tumors was 265.5 days (95% CI, 123 to 301 days). Median survival time for subcutaneous tumors was 1,189 days (95% CI, 596 days to not estimable). Median survival time for intramuscular tumors was 272.5 days (95% CI, 123 to 355 days). For dogs with subcutaneous tumors, younger age (< 9 years) was associated with longer DFI and survival time. Dogs with subcutaneous tumors that did not receive radiation therapy had longer DFI.


CONCLUSIONS
Dogs with subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma had a more favorable outcome, compared with dogs with intramuscular hemangiosarcoma, when treated with adequate local control and adjuvant doxorubicin.
Bulakowski
Eric J
EJ
New England Veterinary Oncology Group, 180 Bear Hill Road, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.
Philibert
Jeff C
JC
Siegel
Sheri
S
Clifford
Craig A
CA
Risbon
Rebecca
R
Zivin
Kara
K
Cronin
Kim L
KL
D000818:Animals; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000662:veterinary; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D019042:Muscle Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004317:Doxorubicin