VAC protocol for treatment of dogs with stage III hemangiosarcoma.
Hemangiosarcomas (HSAs) are aggressive tumors with a high rate of metastasis. Clinical stage has been considered a negative prognostic factor for survival. The study authors hypothesized that the median survival time (MST) of dogs with metastatic (stage III) HSA treated with a vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) chemotherapy protocol would not be different than those with stage I/II HSA. Sixty-seven dogs with HSA in different anatomic locations were evaluated retrospectively. All dogs received the VAC protocol as an adjuvant to surgery (n = 50), neoadjuvant (n = 3), or as the sole treatment modality (n = 14). There was no significant difference (P = 0.97) between the MST of dogs with stage III and stage I/II HSA. For dogs presenting with splenic HSA alone, there was no significant difference between the MST of dogs with stage III and stage I/II disease (P = 0.12). The overall response rate (complete response [CR] and partial response [PR]) was 86%). No unacceptable toxicities were observed. Dogs with stage III HSA treated with the VAC protocol have a similar prognosis to dogs with stage I/II HSA. Dogs with HSA and evidence of metastases at the time of diagnosis should not be denied treatment.
Coral Springs Animal Hospital, Coral Springs, FL.
Francisco J
FJ
Alvarez
Kenji
K
Hosoya
Ana
A
Lara-Garcia
William
W
Kisseberth
Guillermo
G
Couto
D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D003609:Dactinomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide