Pathomorphological characteristics of cardiac hemangiosarcoma in a dog (a clinical case)

Abstract

Hemangiosarcoma is a prevalent and lethal type of cancer in dogs. The tumour grows and spreads rapidly, often giving no warning signs to the owner until the sudden death of the dog. Hemangiosarcoma typically affects older dogs. A confirmed case study of an animal’s death shows that angiosarcoma mainly develops in dogs of a specific age and breed. The dog examined in this study was seven years old. Detecting cardiac hemangiosarcoma can be challenging, as X-ray exams may produce false-negative results, as seen in the current study. Pathological mitotic divisions are often the most recognizable sign of a heart tumour, which can be identified through an incisional biopsy. However, in our case, this was not feasible due to the patient’s rapid decline. The patient’s enlarged heart was visible on a chest X-ray, while an ultrasound revealed a pericardial effusion. Pericardiocentesis was performed, and 80 ml of hemorrhagic pericardial fluid was drained. Unfortunately, the results of the cytological examination of the fluid were negative, as confirmed by this study. Classic clinical signs of hemangiosarcoma are not present, except for abrupt and severe internal bleeding. The animal’s owner reported periodic lethargy or fatigue and shortness of breath as clinical signs. During our examination, we noted tachycardia and muted heart sounds as additional clinical indications. During the pathological examination, the changes found in the body are not specific and may differ in individual cases of death. An autopsy established the absence of visual metastatic foci and in other organs: blood filling of the spleen; blood filling and liver enlargement; speckled haemorrhages on the lung pleura, mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine; the mucous membrane of the large intestine is covered with a large amount of mucus and multiple haemorrhages. Histopathological studies have established a cavernous hemangioma, a large cavity of various shapes, filled with blood and lined with endothelium, separated by thin connective tissue partitions. In places, the blood in the cavities coagulates, and the formed thrombotic masses yield to their organizing.