Like people, our pets can suffer from various types of cancer, such as sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas are malignant tumors that usually appear in soft organic areas such as the skin and organsIt is also a very common cancer in dogs.
If your dog has been diagnosed with a sarcoma and you want to know more, keep reading this article on our site where we will talk about soft tissue sarcomas in dogs, their symptoms and treatment.
What is a soft tissue sarcoma?
Essentially, a soft tissue sarcoma is an abnormal tissue growth of mesenchymal embryological origin that, depending on the anatomical location where has developed, it 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 middle-aged to older domestic canines. A common feature that all these types of neoplasms (tumors) have is that they share an appearance and clinical behavior.
Because these tumors have their origin in the mesenchymal tissue of the individual, tumors develop mostly inthe following zones :
- Muscle tissues.
- Nervous tissues.
- Vascular tissues.
- Fibrous tissues.
- Adipose tissues.
Types of soft tissue sarcomas in dogs
This feature means that the most frequently diagnosed soft tissue sarcomas in canines are those known as:
- Fibrosarcoma: a malignant tumor that forms in fibrous tissue and can appear anywhere in the body.
- Neurofibrosarcoma: rare malignant tumors that are located in the peripheral nerve area.
- Myxosarcoma: is a malignant tumor capable of producing metastases.
- Leiomyosarcoma: This is an aggressive sarcoma that occurs in smooth muscle areas, such as the uterine or gastrointestinal area.
- Rhabdomyosarcomas: malignant tumor that appears in striated muscle.
The case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma is subject to discussion as to whether or not it should be included within this group of neoplasms.
Symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma in dogs
The symptoms are varied, as it will depend on the area in which the tumor appears. However, all soft tissue sarcomas present as a slow-growing neoplasm occurring anywhere in the body, often having a smooth to firm consistency with an irregular, lobulated, adherent appearancefirmly to underlying tissue and/or skin.
The different clinical signs that are observed will depend on the anatomical place where the tumor has settled. If, for example, it were a myosarcoma located in a muscle of the dog's leg, pain and lameness can be observed when walking. In the case of neurofibrosarcomas, there will be signs of neurological alteration.
However, it is general features, these could be some symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma in dogs:
- Lumps or bumps.
- Weight and appetite loss.
- General discomfort.
- Fatigue.
- Decay.
- Pain.
- Mantle in poor condition.
- Hair loss.
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
If you suspect that your dog's he alth is not adequate, we recommend that you go to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Causes of soft tissue sarcoma in dogs
It is not easy to define the causes of soft tissue sarcoma in dogs, as there can be several. In tumors in general, and in those affecting soft tissues in particular, there is evidence of a hereditary genetic predisposition in a certain race or, often, in certain family lines. Some breeds predisposed to sarcoma include German Shepherds, Boxers, and Golden Retrievers.
On the other hand, environmental causes are unlikely to cause this type of tumor. Other possible triggers for soft tissue sarcomas include diet and stress.
Treatment of soft tissue sarcoma in dogs
The only treatment currently indicated to eliminate a sarcoma is surgical removal of the tumorDepending on the location, state and stage of the neoplasm at the time of diagnosis, it is often necessary to support surgical treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy
5 different stages of soft tissue sarcomas have been postulated: I, II, III, IV and V. At the fifth stage it is called recurring, and it is when the sarcoma reappears after treatment, and may do so in a place close to its first location or in a place distant from it, this being something to take into account to partially modify the new treatment to be established.
When the presence of metastases has been confirmed, the use of palliative chemotherapy is fully indicated, and in many cases chemotherapy can be started before surgery in order to reduce the size of the tumor and make it easier to remove.
If the total removal of the tumor has not been possible during surgery, a second surgical intervention is recommended to try to achieve removal total neoplasm. In those cases where for different medical reasons this second surgery could not be performed, the best measure to take is use radiotherapy to control the residual disease, which has a high probability of success.
Alternative treatments for soft tissue sarcoma in dogs
There are other therapeutic alternatives to treat soft tissue sarcomas in domestic canines, but they are currently in the experimental phase, although the Preliminary results suggest that in a short time they will represent a valuable contribution to the treatment of this type of neoplasm in dogs.
Now that you know what soft tissue sarcoma in dogs is, you may also be interested in reading this other article on How long does a dog with cancer last?
