A new study by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) VetCompass Programme has examined survival times in dogs diagnosed with haemangiosarcoma, a fast-growing and aggressive cancer of the blood vessels. The research found wide variation in survival depending on tumour location and treatment.
Haemangiosarcoma is typically diagnosed in older dogs and has been associated with extremely poor outcomes, often leading to early euthanasia. This study, based on data from 788 dogs diagnosed under general practice care in 2019, found a median survival time (MST) of 9 days. However some dogs, particularly those with cutaneous tumours or those who underwent surgery, showed significantly longer survival.
Dogs with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis had an MST of 105 days, with 28% surviving beyond one year. The findings suggest that a small number of dogs, especially those diagnosed early or treated surgically, may have improved outcomes. The researchers also noted that early euthanasia may influence survival data.
“Exploring early euthanasia and its impact on survival times is an important next step for haemangiosarcoma research”
The study also found that survival varied by tumour site. Dogs with cutaneous haemangiosarcoma had an MST of 119 days, compared to 4 days for splenic tumours, and 0 days for cardiac or hepatic tumours.
Dr Sandra Guillen, Lecturer in Veterinary Oncology at the RVC, said, “This study sheds light on the outcomes of canine haemangiosarcoma in the first opinion practice setting and challenges long-held assumptions regarding this cancer.
“By revealing that some dogs, particularly those with cutaneous forms or who undergo surgery, can live longer, it encourages us to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. It highlights the importance of open client dialogue, even in the face of a difficult diagnosis.”
One-year survival was highest for cutaneous cases at 43.2%, and lowest for cardiac and hepatic tumours at 3% and 3.9% respectively. Surgical treatment and smaller tumour size were associated with improved prognosis.
Dr Collette Taylor, lead author and canine cancer epidemiologist at the RVC, said, “Our work here identifies a short survival time for dogs diagnosed with haemangiosarcoma in first opinion clinics in the UK.
“As most research for this cancer has focused on referral or specialist veterinary centre populations, these figures provide UK first opinion vets with the necessary data for contextualised care discussions when dog owners are faced with this much dreaded diagnosis. Exploring early euthanasia and its impact on survival times is an important next step for haemangiosarcoma research.”
 VetCompass Programme has examined survival times in dogs diagnosed with haemangiosarcoma.){kind=link}