Unusual metastatic behavior and clinicopathologic findings in eight cats with cutaneous or visceral hemangiosarcoma
Kraje, A.C.; Mears, E.A.; Hahn, K.A.; McEntee, M.F.; Mitchell, S.K.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 214(5): 670-672
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 10088016 Document Number: 498320
Unusual metastatic and clinicopathological behaviour was evident in 8 cats with visceral or cutaneous haemangiosarcoma evaluated at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, between 1981 and 1997. The cats with cutaneous haemangiosarcoma developed metastatic disease after initial surgical resection; only 1 had local regrowth of the tumour. All cats with visceral haemangiosarcoma had metastasis at the time of diagnosis, which is consistent with cats of other reports. Three of 8 cats had evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation, including increased prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time, decreased number of platelets, and anaemia. It is suggested that these potential complications need to be considered when planning diagnostic and treatment protocols.