My 12 year old Golden/Collie mix had emergency surgery last week to remove her spleen after it burst. The Dr. said she had a tumor in the spleen which was also removed. There was one questionable spot on her liver but the Dr. said that it might have been a benign nodule. He said that the pathology would be able to tell us what was going on. 1 1/2 weeks later, there have been two rounds of pathology, all came back "inconclusive". They are now getting the rest of the spleen from the vet for testing. The said that they feel there are cancerous cells present, but while some characteristics are consistent with Hemangiosarcoma, others are not . My question is, has anyone had experience where there dog had a cancerous tumor of the spleen which was not hemangiosarcoma? If so, what was the outcome? Any information will be appreciated.
Thanks.

Bumping up

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She is my friend, my partner, my defender, my dog. I am her life, her love, her leader. She will be mine, faithful and true,to the last beat of her heart. And I will be hers, faithful and true, to the last beat of mine.

I have seen leiomyosarcomas which are malignant. I have also seen leiomyomas which are not. Even non malignant tumors can rupture. The problem with a malignant tumor rupturing is that it then seeds the abdomen with tumor cells. Five years ago, when I was taking my almost 12 year old golden girl for an abdominal ultrasound, she jumped out of the car at the referral place and was instantly laterally recumbent(due to splenic rupture). I carried her in, they found hemagiosarcoma. I asked the specialist what she would do. She said, if we took the spleen out and did nothing else, my Laney might live 2 more months. She said if after the surgery, we did chemo, she would live 6 months. She also said that if it were her dog, she would euthanize... so I did.

jchap

I am SO VERY SORRY you are going through this!!

I googled your question and found this.

Canines-Can a dog have spleen burst and not have hemangiosarcoma - Google Search

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...7357f65be41de5

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Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010

Copper had his spleen removed due to noncancerous tumors 02/04/2009. They were found during an ultrasound for a different problem and the vet was comfortable monitoring for a while. Two months later a repeat ultrasound revealed growth in one tumor and he had surgery soon after.

He also had a tumor in his stomach that was found and removed at the same time. Again, all were benign so I have no experience with a cancerous tumor, but he recoverd from the surgery and was going on 3 mile trail rides 2.5 weeks later. it never slowed him down.

He died 20 months later from some form of cancer, but we didn't get a diagnosis since it was very fast from "He has cancer" to a total system failure (36 hours). He did have more frequent skin infections and had a harder time fighting off "things" after his splenectomy, but a large increase in his dose of antibiotics and diligent bathing with medicated shampoo kept that under control.

His liver was "bright" on exam for the tumors and he started Denamarin for liver health and function just in case. I hope your girl does as well or even better than he did and he had a great life after.

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Copper's Mom (always)
Gotcha 10/2004 - lost ya 10/2010

I believe Hotel 4 Dogs' Toby is also a spleenless dog with a benign diagnosis. There is another forum member here who also got a benign diagnosis after splenectomy. I believe the literature states it's 50/50 benign vs. malignant. Our own oncology vet told us it was skewed more for malignant in his practice and for goldens, even more. In our family it's 100% malignant with 2 Goldens.

I'm sorry you are going through this. It is scary and waiting for definitive results must be excruitatingly painful.

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My first dog Kay Cee had her spleen removed at 12. It was only a hematoma, there were no cancer cells of any type. She lived 3 more years. But I am sorry to say that I think the fact that they even found questionable cells doesn't sound good. Most dogs that I have seen with Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen will live 60 -90 days if the spleen is removed. And those tend to be very good days. Cherish every day...

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Thank you all very much for the information. Unfortunately, it's not what I would have liked to hear. They do feel there is cancer present, but they just can't confirm Hemangiosarcoma as of now. If they didn't know whether or not there was cancer, that would give me more hope. The Dr. said if the third pathology report comes back inconclusive, he will sonogram her liver to see if it looks clear. If it's clear, he will hope for the best and leave her alone. If it's not clear then we know it must have been Hemangiosarcoma. After the reading I have done, I and my family are not inclined to put her through Chemo as it doesn't seem to be very successful. I suppose I will continue to hope that she will be the exception until I am not able to do that anymore.
Thanks

I am so sorry you are having such a hard time with the pathology reports.
Please ask about a liver supplement if the sonogram looks clear. You can use milk thistle and SAM-e (the OTC for mood) to help with liver function and it wouldn't hurt. Just a "just in case" as my vet said. We also did an ultrasound of Copper's heart to before his splenectomy since hemangio often shows up there too.

there are a few of us on here with dogs who beat the odds. It sure would be wonderful if your girl did too.

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Copper's Mom (always)
Gotcha 10/2004 - lost ya 10/2010

Never give up hope. We have a dog on here who just passed the 2 year mark from her hemangio surgery. Lacey however, did not have it attached to any organs. Sending prayers

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