Chemotherapeutic Management of Hemangiosarcoma in Canines – An Update

Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant vascular endothelial tumor affecting canines. It commonly affects older animals and is also characterized by certain breed predilection. Spleen is the most commonly affected organ in canines but skin associated hemangiosarcomas are less frequent. Management of malignant tumors like hemangiosarcoma should be based on multimodal therapy that combines different techniques like surgical excision, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Even though several chemotherapeutic agents are used alone or as in combinations, it was ineffective in producing a desirable increase in the survival period. Newer agents like Paclitaxel and Resveratrol was found to be effective against hemangiosarcoma cell lines in-vitro. But further studies are required for evaluating the in-vivo effects of such chemotherapeutic agents. Further research should be directed to identify effective chemotherapeutic agents like Paclitaxel and Resveratrol that can be used to manage canine hemangiosarcoma clinically without any side effects.