Haemangiosarcoma (HSA) Rsearch - Can You and Your Pet Help Us Find Answers?

Haemangiosarcoma (HSA)

Rod Straw BVSc DACVS

Haemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a malignant cancer of dogs and cats. This cancer also occurs in humans where it may be called angiosarcoma. We generally do not know what causes this cancer. It is a cancer of the cells that line blood vessels (endothelial cells). It can arise in any tissue that has blood vessels but common locations include the spleen, the liver, the heart muscle, other muscles and the skin.

When HSA occurs on the skin it is usually induced by the harmful rays of the sun. Cats and dogs with non pigmented skin and areas of the body with sparse hair coat exposed to the sun over a prolonged period (years) are at risk. If the skin form of the disease is small and confined to the skin then surgery can be curative. Your vet needs to see your dog for any lump or bump as early detection and treatment saves lives.

When HSA occurs inside the body (such as spleen, Liver or heart) there may be no indication that your pet has cancer until bleeding occurs. Typically, when the tumour bleeds the animal becomes very weak and may collapse. Animals often present to the vet in an emergency setting.
If your pet goes to the vet with an internal bleeding problem it does not always mean your pet has HSA. In fact if your pet has a mass on the spleen it does not mean your pet has HSA. In fact one third of the dogs with masses on the spleen have benign (not cancer) lumps and can be cured with surgery. Of the remaining two thirds of dogs with masses on the spleen, one third has diseases other that HSA and surgery may be curative.

Unfortunately the prognoses for dogs with HSA (other than the cutaneous form) are poor. The median survival (50% alive) after surgery is only about 3 months. If we treat with surgery and chemotherapy this time increases to about nine months.

At BVSC in conjunction with the University of Queensland and the Diamintina Institute we are looking for ways to better diagnose and treat HSA in dogs. We are asking for permission to analyse tissue and blood for the genetic information and other cancer “markers” to help us in this quest.
 

How can you help?

From dogs at BVSC not suspected of having HSA we ask the permission to collect and analyse a small blood sample (one to two mililitres). For dogs with masses of the spleen who go to surgery, we ask permission of their owners to allow us to analyse blood, urine and tissue. These studies usually do not add any more procedures for your pets because blood will ordinarily be collected during the course of your pets’ evaluation and for surgery cases we do not take any additional tissue that is necessary for their treatment anyway.

We want to find answers to help early detection and better, even curative treatments for haemangiosarcoma in pets and angiosarcoma in people.

Financing surgical treatment for your pet.

BVSC understands that surgical treatments are both unexpected and costly. To assist you access to third party external finance companies are available. These companies require a detailed application & credit check. BVSC is not an agent for these companies and may request a deposit to allow treatment to proceed if finance approval is pending.

Where is BVSC and how do I make an appointment for my pet?

BVSC is located on Brisbane’s north side on the corner of Old Northern & Keong Roads, Albany Creek 4035.

To make an appointment for your pet you will be required to have a referral from your vet, to get a referral contact your veterinarian and request referral to BVSC then contact our friendly reception staff on (07) 3264 9400