Confidence in Cancer Care: Practical Approaches to Canine Hemangiosarcoma Diagnosis and Management

Course overview

This session will provide a clinically focused review of canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA). Hemangiosarcoma remains one of the most biologically aggressive and challenging malignancies faced in veterinary practice. The primary focus will be on visceral hemangiosarcoma, including current understanding of its pathophysiology, biologic behavior, and patterns of metastasis. Typical and atypical clinical presentations will be covered, followed by a review of diagnostic and staging approaches, including currently available imaging modalities and emerging blood-based biomarkers. Currently available treatment strategies will be explored, including surgical intervention, systemic chemotherapy protocols, and the role of radiation therapy where applicable. In addition, the session will review emerging and investigational treatment strategies, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy, nutraceutical adjuncts, with consideration of their potential clinical utility and current limitations. Prognostic factors will be reviewed, including survival outcomes, key prognostic indicators and how these factors inform clinical decision making and client communication. For comparative context, the session will include a brief overview of actinic cutaneous hemangiosarcoma, with emphasis on distinguishing features in etiology, risk factors, clinical behavior, prognosis, and therapeutic considerations relative to visceral disease. By the end of this session, participants will have an evidence-based understanding of canine hemangiosarcoma, with particular emphasis on the recognition, diagnostic workup, staging, and management of visceral disease, as well as an informed perspective on how it differs biologically and clinically from the actinic cutaneous form.