Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Dogs
Key takeaways
Soft tissue sarcomas are a common condition in dogs; they are a group of tumors which develop in the soft tissues, especially the chest, legs, or abdomen.
- Commonly found anywhere in the body, primarily as a palpable lump just under the skin
- Symptoms vary depending on where the tumor originates but include lameness, pain around the affected area, weight loss, and lymph node enlargement
- Diagnosis includes biopsy of the tumor, diagnostic imaging, and blood work
- Treatment primarily involves radiation and surgery but can also include chemotherapy
- Soft tissue sarcomas are usually locally invasive but do not metastasize aggressively
- Prognosis is good but can be reduced in cases of metastasis or recurrence after treatment
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A closer look: Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Dogs
Soft tissue sarcomas are a specific type of cancer common in dogs. Cancer is defined as abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth which often results in masses of abnormal tissue called tumors. Sarcoma refers to the origin of the cancer cells coming from soft tissues while soft tissue refers to the location of the tumors when they are identified, meaning this form of cancer is both made of cancerous soft tissue cells and typically found in the soft tissues at the time of identification.
Soft tissue sarcomas include a number of tumor types which include;
Leiomyosarcomas: soft muscle tissue tumors
Peripheral nerve sheath tumor: tumors on the sheath coating the nerves in the peripheral nervous system - the nerves not in the brain and spinal cord
Myxosarcoma tumors of the fibrous connective soft tissue
Fibrosarcoma tumors formed in the connective tissues around bones
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Risk factors
Soft tissue sarcomas are common in dogs. The prognosis varies depending on location and staging of the tumor but is overall fair. It is always key to monitor any growths on a pet’s body especially if they are increasing in size.
Risk factors include previous radiation, injury, and permanent foreign objects, like medical hardware.
Symptoms vary based on the location of the tumor and the staging. Some examples of symptoms associated with areas of the body include;
Possible causes
The causes of soft tissue sarcomas are currently unknown. It is noted to be more common in dogs 10+ years of age but are documented in dogs of any age. As with all forms of cancer, environmental and genetic factors are suggested.
Main symptoms
Testing and diagnosis
After a physical examination and medical history, a number of tests can be done to determine diagnosis and staging;
- Diagnostic imaging
- Microscopic analysis of cells from the mass (fine needle aspiration and cytology)
- Blood work
- Biopsy
Steps to Recovery
Once a soft tissue sarcoma is confirmed, there are a number of treatment options depending on stage, location, and tumor type. Surgical removal of the mass and the surrounding at-risk tissue (aka removal with “wide margins”) is the cornerstone of therapy. Radiation may provide some benefit for tumors that cannot be fully resected. Chemotherapy may be considered, but any benefit has not been defined. Supportive therapy includes pain management and antibiotics for secondary infections resulting from open, ulcerated tumors.
The prognosis depends on the location and staging of the tumor but is overall favorable when complete surgical removal of the tumor and surrounding at-risk tissue is possible. Prognosis is lessened in cases where wide surgical removal is not possible, when metastasis has occurred, or where recurrence occurs after treatment.
Prevention
There is no known cause of soft tissue sarcomas and therefore prevention is not known at this time. Monitoring for overall changes in pet health and the status of any lumps on the body provides the best chance of catching cancer in earlier stages.
Soft tissue sarcomas are not contagious.
Is Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Dogs common?
Soft tissue sarcomas are common in dogs.
Typical Treatment
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Symptom management
