Masses in the spleen occur primarily in middle-aged to older dogs. Splenic masses often consist of only benign hematomas or fibrous nodules.
However, these masses can sometimes be highly malignant forms of cancer, especially vascular cancer known as hemangiosarcoma.
The spleen
The spleen is a highly vascular organ that sits on the left, in front of the abdomen. It functions as a blood reservoir and filter to remove old blood cells from circulation. The spleen also contains lymph tissues and can become enlarged in leukemia or lymphoma.
Dogs with spleen tumors often develop a bloated or pendulous abdomen as this organ enlarges.
These dogs may otherwise appear normal or develop generalized signs of lethargy and loss of appetite. In some cases, the tumor can bleed into the abdomen (filling the belly with blood) and can even rupture suddenly, leading to rapid internal bleeding, collapse, and shock. In addition, malignant cancers such as hemangiosarcoma can spread to nearby organs such as the liver, so affected dogs can also develop liver problems. Anemia in dogs is a common finding with hemangiosarcoma, so dogs become quickly tired and develop pale gums.
Diagnosing splenic tumors
However, they will want to use abdominal x-rays or ultrasound to pinpoint where the problem lies in most cases. In the case of a bleeding tumor, your vet may also want to draw fluid from the abdomen. Blood work may be needed to gauge the degree of anemia and to rule out other problems.
Treatment of splenic tumors
The treatment of choice for splenic tumors is surgical spleen removal.
Your vet will want to send a sample of the removed organ for histologic examination to determine if the tumor is benign or malignant. Surgery is curative in benign tumors, and treated dogs usually get along well without a spleen. In the case of malignant tumors, surgery may not slow the spread of cancer, but it does remove the discomfort caused by the bloated belly and the risk of bleeding. Unfortunately, chemotherapy is not usually an effective treatment for hemangiosarcoma, and dogs with this form of cancer have a poor long-term prognosis.
Related articles:
Early Signs of Splenic Tumors: What You Probably Didn’t Know about Splenic Tumors in Dogs
Canine Immune System: Spleen – Why Does The Spleen Get No Respect?
Should I Choose Surgery for My Senior Dog?
Further reading:
Splenic Masses in Dogs (Splenectomy)