Soft tissue sarcomas are tumors of connective tissues. Within this larger category, various soft tissue sarcomas are grouped together because they exhibit similar clinical behavior in patients and similar appearances on biopsy.
How are soft tissue sarcomas diagnosed?
A simple, non-invasive test called a fine needle aspirate can frequently determine whether a patient has a sarcoma. In the event that fine needle aspirates are not diagnostic, a biopsy may be required. Additionally, biopsies can be used to categorize the particular type of soft tissue sarcoma.
Staging is advised following a diagnosis to rule out the disease’s spread and assess your pet’s general health. Staging for sarcomas typically involves:
What is a soft tissue sarcoma?
A group of cancerous tumors known as soft tissue sarcomas develop from the skin and subcutaneous connective tissues, including fat, muscle, cartilage, fibrous connective tissue, nerves, and the “pericytes” of tiny blood vessels. Because of their shared clinical behavior, these tumors are frequently viewed as a group.
Soft tissue sarcomas may arise from any site. They frequently seem discrete and well-encapsulated, but they tend to be extremely invasive into the nearby tissues. As a result, following conservative surgical removal of the tumor, local tumor regrowth is typical. Soft tissue sarcomas are graded low, intermediate or high grade. Most are low to intermediate grade, and their likelihood of spreading is generally low.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SARCOMA CANCER IN DOGS?
On older dogs, lumps are fairly typical, and not all lumps are cancerous. There are certain signs that distinguish canine sarcoma cancer from other bumps:
A lipoma is a less serious explanation for a lump under your dog’s skin. Since lipomas are benign tumors, they don’t spread to other body parts. They can feel like a deviled egg under the skin and, unless they become very large, rarely cause problems. Have your dog’s veterinarian take a sample if it has a lump under its skin. Your dog’s lump can be examined under a microscope to determine whether it is a benign lipoma or something more serious.
Get your dog or cat to the vet right away for a diagnosis if you think they have a sarcoma. Typically, a thin needle is inserted into the lump to obtain a sample for testing during fine-needle aspiration, which is how veterinarians try to diagnose soft tissue sarcoma in dogs. To determine the presence of a sarcoma, a surgical biopsy can be performed if fine-needle aspiration is not an option. Additional testing, such as radiographs, ultrasounds, and blood work, may be done to determine the best course of action if the sample reveals that your dog or cat has a sarcoma.
FAQ
How fast do dog sarcomas grow?
As the tumor spreads, it may become painful or make it difficult to walk. Over the course of a few weeks, they could expand quickly. More commonly they grow slowly over months or years. In severe cases, the skin next to the tumor may ulcerate or become infected.
Is soft tissue sarcoma in dogs painful?
Dog soft tissue sarcomas don’t hurt, and the growth and size of the tumor under the skin are the main symptoms. They frequently appear on the legs, chest, or abdomen.
How aggressive is sarcoma in dogs?
Sarcomas appear on or underneath the skin. They are a fairly typical type of cancer found in dogs. Unfortunately, when undiagnosed or untreated, sarcomas can develop into a malignant form of tumor and can become quite aggressive.
Can soft tissue sarcoma be cured in dogs?
A good prognosis can be expected for low to intermediate grade soft tissue sarcomas that are completely removed by aggressive surgery. Control rates for incompletely removed low grade soft tissue sarcomas that are then treated with radiation are also excellent.