Our Italian Greyhound has skin cancer

Our Italian Greyhound has skin cancer

by Gary
(Florida)

About 6 months ago we noticed that "Sassy" had a few small red blister-like spots on her stomach. They appeared to be full of blood. Thinking that they were a bug bite we tried to drain them but they filled back up within a few days. We took her to the vet and they said they thought it was skin cancer. They removed all of them (about 15, mostly small ones) sent them for testing and discovered that it was cancer, stage 1 but the larger spot was stage 2.

The doctor referred us to an Oncology vet. We are trying to find out if she needs treatment or if this is an isolated event. Will they come back? Will treatment work? How serious is it? Does anyone know?

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Our Italian Greyhound has skin cancer

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Aug 30, 2009
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Stages
by: Anonymous

All of them were stage one and one was stage two. I really appreciated your comment. Thank you!

Aug 30, 2009
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Cutaneous Hemangiosarcoma
by: Hazel

Hi, Gary,

Sorry to hear that Sassy had skin cancer. The type of skin cancer you described (like blood blisters) is called cutaneous hemangiosarcoma and is rather common among greyhounds.

How serious the cancer is depends on how deep the cancer has penetrated into the skin. In Sassy's case, if the cancerous tumors were completely in the skin the surgery should have successfully removed all of the tumors and the skin around them.

However, sometimes hemangiosarcoma tumors can penetrate into the subcutaneous tissues below the skin or even deeper into the underlying muscles, in which case they are more difficult to get rid of. Usually, the vet will remove the tumors as well as at least a 2-cm margin in every direction around anything that could be tumor.

Did your vet tell you how deep the tumors had penetrated into the skin? If not, it wouldn't be a bad idea to talk with an Oncology vet to see if the cancerous cells have in fact been removed completely, or if chemo or radiation is necessary to completely eradicate the cancer.

Even if all the cancerous cells have been removed this time, this type of cancer unfortunately may come back. You need to observe Sassy closely and check her skin regularly. Minimizing sun exposure is one way to prevent skin cancer in dogs.

I wish you and Sassy good luck and please keep us informed of her progress!

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Aug 30, 2009
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Submitted by: Hazel

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Hi, Gary, Sorry to hear that Sassy had skin cancer. The type of skin cancer you described (like blood blisters) is called cutaneous hemangiosarcoma and is rather common among greyhounds. How serious the cancer is depends on how deep the cancer has penetrated into the skin. In Sassy's case, if the cancerous tumors were completely in the skin the surgery should have successfully removed all of the tumors and the skin around them. However, sometimes hemangiosarcoma tumors can penetrate into the subcutaneous tissues below the skin or even deeper into the underlying muscles, in which case they are more difficult to get rid of. Usually, the vet will remove the tumors as well as at least a 2-cm margin in every direction around anything that could be tumor. Did your vet tell you how deep the tumors had penetrated into the skin? If not, it wouldn't be a bad idea to talk with an Oncology vet to see if the cancerous cells have in fact been removed completely, or if chemo or radiation is necessary to completely eradicate the cancer. Even if all the cancerous cells have been removed this time, this type of cancer unfortunately may come back. You need to observe Sassy closely and check her skin regularly. Minimizing sun exposure is one way to prevent skin cancer in dogs. I wish you and Sassy good luck and please keep us informed of her progress!

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