Content
- What is a Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
- Types of Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Dogs
- Symptoms of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
- Causes of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
- Soft tissue sarcoma treatment
- Alternative Treatments for Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
Like people, our pets can suffer from various types of cancer, such as sarcomas. Soft tissue sarcomas are malignant tumors which usually appear in soft organic areas, such as the skin and organs. Also, it is a very common cancer in dogs.
If your dog has been diagnosed with a sarcoma and you want to know more, keep reading this PeritoAnimal article, in which we'll talk about soft tissue sarcoma in dogs, its symptoms and treatment.
What is a Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
In essence, a soft tissue sarcoma is a abnormal tissue growth that, depending on the anatomical location where it developed, will generate a variety of clinical symptoms in the dog. In other words, sarcomas are malignant tumors in dogs.
Statistically, the vast majority of these sarcomas are seen in domestic dogs of middle to advanced age. A common feature that all these types of neoplasms (tumors) have is that they share a clinical appearance and behavior.
Since these tumors originate in the individual's mesenchymal tissue, they develop mainly in the following areas:
- Muscle tissue.
- Nerve tissue.
- Vascular tissues.
- Fibrous tissue.
- Fatty tissues.
Types of Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Dogs
This feature causes soft tissue sarcomas most often diagnosed in dogs are known as:
- fibrosarcoma: Malignant tumor that forms in fibrous tissue and can appear anywhere in the body.
- Neurofibrosarcoma: rare malignant tumors that are located in the peripheral nervous system.
- myxosarcoma: malignant tumor capable of producing metastasis.
- Leiomyosarcoma: Aggressive sarcoma appearing in areas of smooth muscle, such as the uterine or gastrointestinal tract.
- Rhabdomyosarcomas: malignant tumor appearing in the striated muscle.
There is no consensus on the inclusion or not of malignant fibrous histiocytomas in this group of neoplasms.
Symptoms of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
Symptoms are varied, as they will depend on the area where the tumor appears. However, all soft tissue sarcomas present as slow-growing neoplasms that can appear anywhere on the dog's body, usually having a smooth to firm consistency with a irregular appearance, lobulated and firmly adhered to the underlying tissue and/or the skin.
The different clinical signs observed will depend on the anatomical site where the tumor was established. If, for example, it is a myosarcoma located in a muscle in the dog's leg, it will be possible to observe pain and a limping walk. In the case of neurofibrosarcomas, there will be signs of neurological changes.
However, in general, these can be Some Symptoms of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs:
- Lumps or lumps.
- Weight loss and appetite.
- Ill be in general.
- Tiredness.
- Decay.
- Ache.
- Coat in poor condition.
- Hair loss.
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
If you suspect that your dog's health status is inadequate, we recommend that you go to the vet ASAP.
Causes of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
It is not easy to define the causes of soft tissue sarcoma in dogs, as they can be many. In tumors in general, and particularly those affecting soft tissue, there is evidence of a hereditary genetic predisposition in certain races or, often, in certain family lines. Some breeds predisposed to suffer from sarcomas are the German Shepherd, Boxer and Golden Retriever.
On the other hand, it is unlikely that environmental issues cause this type of tumor. Other possible triggers for soft tissue sarcomas include diet and stress.
Soft tissue sarcoma treatment
Currently, the only treatment indicated for the elimination of sarcoma in dogs is surgical removal of the tumor. Depending on its location, state and stage of the neoplasm at the time of diagnosis, in many cases it is necessary to support surgical treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
were postulated 5 stages many different of soft tissue sarcoma: I, II, III, IV and V. The fifth stage is called recurrent, and occurs when the sarcoma reappears after treatment, which may occur in a location close to its initial location or in a distant location , this being a factor to consider to partially modify the new treatment to be instituted.
When the presence of metastases is confirmed, the use of palliative chemotherapy is fully recommended, and in many cases chemotherapy can be started before surgery, in order to reduce tumor size and facilitate its removal.
If complete removal of the tumor is not possible during surgery, a second surgical intervention it is recommended to attempt complete removal of the neoplasm. In cases where, for various medical reasons, it is not possible to perform this second surgery, the best measure to follow is use radiotherapy to control residual disease, and the probability of success is high.
Alternative Treatments for Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
There are other therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas in domestic dogs, but currently they are found in experimental phase. However, preliminary results suggest that in a short time they will represent a valuable contribution to the treatment of this type of neoplasia in dogs.
Now that you know what this type of sarcoma is in dogs, you might also be interested in reading this other article on alternative therapies for dogs with cancer.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our Other health problems section.