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 Liver Cancer in Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment

 

Tumors or neoplasms are one of the many pathologies that can affect the liver of dogs. Although primary liver tumors are not frequent in the canine species, the liver is one of the organs where malignant tumors present in other areas of the body most frequently metastasize. For this reason, it is essential to take this type of tumor into account in small animal clinics.

If you are interested in learning more about liver cancer in dogs, its symptoms and treatment, don't miss the following vet.alnwaeer.com article in which we detail the most important aspects of this liver disease.

Index
Types of liver cancer in dogs
Symptoms of liver cancer in dogs
Causes of liver cancer in dogs
Diagnosis of Liver Cancer in Dogs
Prevention of liver cancer in dogs
Treatment of liver cancer in dogs
Diet for dogs with liver cancer
Life expectancy for dogs with liver cancer

Types of liver cancer in dogs

Before explaining the different types of liver cancer that can affect dogs, it is important to make a brief clarification about the difference between the terms "tumor" and "cancer" 

Depending on their biological behavior, tumors can be benign or malignant:

• Benign tumors : they have a low capacity for local invasion and metastasis
• Malignant tumors : they have a high capacity for local invasion and variable metastasis.

Usually, the term "cancer" is used to refer to a malignant tumor, so we could conclude that "malignant tumor" and "cancer" are synonymous terms . In dogs, malignant liver tumors, that is, liver cancers, are more common. However, in this article we will talk about both benign and malignant tumors.

With this clarification made, we can now explain the types of liver tumors that can affect dogs. In general, liver tumors in dogs can be classified into two large groups:

• Primary liver tumors : when they originate in any of the tissues that make up the liver, that is, in hepatocytes, bile ducts, connective tissue or blood vessels.
• Secondary or metastatic liver tumors : when a tumor present in another area of ​​the body metastasizes to the liver.

Depending on the specific type of tumor, they may have a nodular appearance (in the form of well-defined nodules) or diffusely infiltrate the liver, producing an increase in the size of the organ (hepatomegaly).

Next, we talk more in depth about the different types of primary and secondary liver tumors.

primary tumors

Primary liver tumors are rare in dogs . In fact, they only represent between 0.6-1.3% of all canine neoplasms. We can talk about the following primary liver tumors depending on the tissue from which tumor growth is triggered:

• Origin in hepatocytes : we find hepatocellular adenoma (benign tumor) and hepatocellular carcinoma (malignant).
• Origin in the bile ducts of the liver : cholangiocellular adenoma (benign tumor) and cholangiocellular carcinoma (malignant tumor).
• Origin in connective tissue : fibrosarcomas (malignant tumor).
• Origin in the blood vessels : hemangiomas (benign tumor) and hemangiosarcomas (malignant tumor).

As we have already mentioned, malignant liver tumors are more frequent in dogs. In addition, liver cancer is more common in older dogs . Specifically, hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common canine liver cancer, followed by cholangiocellular carcinoma.

Secondary or metastatic tumors

The liver, along with the lung, is one of the organs where malignant tumors present in other areas of the body most frequently metastasize. Among the malignant tumors that can metastasize to the liver are:

• Pancreatic carcinomas.
• Prostatic or mammary . You can get more information in these articles on Prostate Cancer in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment and Breast Cancer in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment .
• melanomas . Check this other post about Melanoma in dogs: symptoms, characteristics and treatment , here.
• Hemangiosarcomas.

Symptoms of liver cancer in dogs

As in most liver diseases, the animals initially remain asymptomatic. As the tumor progresses, nonspecific signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia, weight loss, apathy and/or depression may appear .

Once the functional reserve capacity of the liver is exceeded, clinical signs suggestive of liver disease appear , including:

• Abdominal distention : which occurs for two reasons that can be the increase in the size of the liver and ascites. Ascites is the presence of free fluid in the abdomen that occurs when the liver is unable to maintain albumin levels in the blood. Read more about Ascites in Dogs: Causes and Treatment here.
• Jaundice : yellowish discoloration of the mucous membranes caused by an excess of bilirubin (yellow pigment) that is deposited on the tissues. In dogs, it is usually initially detected at the level of the sclera. You can consult more information about Jaundice in dogs: causes, symptoms and treatment in this other AnimalWised article.
• Hepatic encephalopathy : it is a neurological condition that is produced by accumulation in the blood of neurotoxic substances not metabolized by the liver, mainly ammonia. Signs that may be seen in these dogs include altered level of consciousness (lethargy, stupor, and eventually coma), weakness or ataxia, pressure of the head against the wall or floor, circling, and seizures. Check out this post about Hepatic Encephalopathy in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment .
• Bleeding : occurs as a result of a decrease in the synthesis of coagulation factors, platelet function and the absorption of vitamin K. Do not hesitate to take a look at this post about Vitamin K for dogs: dosage and uses .

In addition, paraneoplastic syndromes may appear . These are systemic effects of the tumor, which are not a direct consequence of tumor growth. In the case of canine liver cancer, the most common syndrome is paraneoplastic hypoglycemia, due to impaired glucose metabolism.

Causes of liver cancer in dogs

Currently, the causes of liver tumors in dogs are unknown . However, some experimental studies establish that aflatoxins and nitrosamines may be potential causes of these tumors, so they will be factors to take into account for the prevention of liver tumors in dogs.

Diagnosis of Liver Cancer in Dogs

The diagnostic protocol for liver tumors in dogs should follow the following points:

• Clinical history and general examination: attention should be paid to the presence of clinical signs consistent with liver disease. On examination of the abdomen, the liver can be palpated when it is enlarged.
• Blood tests with liver profile: values ​​such as total proteins, albumin, liver enzymes (ALT, GGT and alkaline phosphatase), ammonia, glucose and bile acids should be measured.
• Diagnostic imaging: which can be through an X-ray or an abdominal ultrasound. Using the X- ray it can be seen if the liver has increased in size and the displacement of the abdominal viscera towards the caudal. Through abdominal ultrasound , a diffuse increase in echogenicity (whiter color of the organ on ultrasound) or the presence of hyperechoic nodules (of a whitish color on the ultrasound image) can be observed. However, these images may be compatible with lipidosis and cirrhosis , respectively, so ultrasound does not allow a definitive diagnosis. In a complementary way, it is recommended to perform an MRI,since it will help to better guide the surgery and to detect possible metastases in other organs.
• Biopsy and histopathological analysis : The sample can be taken percutaneously (with biopsy needles) or surgically (by laparotomy or laparoscopy). Histopathological analysis will make it possible to reach a definitive diagnosis and determine the specific type of liver tumor.

Prevention of liver cancer in dogs

As we have explained, at present the causes of liver cancer in dogs are not known with certainty , which complicates prevention strategies for this disease completely.
Added to this difficulty for prevention is the problem of making an early diagnosis of the disease. Usually, liver tumors begin producing mild and nonspecific symptoms, and it is not until advanced stages that signs compatible with liver disease appear. This makes early diagnosis difficult and, on many occasions, cancer is diagnosed in advanced stages in which local invasion has already occurred, including regional or distant metastasis.

Treatment of liver cancer in dogs

Treatment of liver tumors in dogs varies depending on the type of tumor:

• In single nodular tumors : surgical treatment should be chosen , specifically tumor resection. Because the liver of dogs contains bacteria under normal conditions, a possible complication after surgery is the appearance of an abscess caused by these bacteria. To prevent this complication, it is advisable to administer broad-spectrum antibiotics after tumor resection.
• In multifocal nodular tumors : that is, when there are several nodules in the liver, or diffuse nodules are not operable, so other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy must be used . 

Diet for dogs with liver cancer

Good dietary management is essential in dogs with liver cancer to maintain their body condition. In general, a diet should be provided:

• Very digestible.
• Rich in easily assimilated carbohydrates.
• Low fat.

Life expectancy for dogs with liver cancer

The prognosis of liver cancer in dogs can vary depending on the specific type of tumor . Not surprisingly, dogs with benign tumors have a better prognosis and longer life expectancy than dogs with malignant tumors.

However, it is important to note that there are significant differences in the prognosis of the different types of liver cancer in dogs:

• Cholangiocellular carcinoma : is the canine liver cancer with the worst prognosis , since it has a high capacity for metastasis (between 80-87% of cases metastasize). Despite surgical resection, survival times are usually short due to metastases and recurrence of the tumor in the liver.
• Hepatocellular carcinoma : has a variable prognosis depending on the form in which it presents. When it has a nodular appearance, especially when it is a single mass that affects the left lobe of the liver, the prognosis is good. Following surgery, dogs have long survival and a low rate of metastasis. However, when these tumors diffusely affect the liver, the prognosis worsens markedly.

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