Leiomyosarcoma of Stomach, Small and Large intestine in Dogs
Leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon cancerous tumor, which, in this case, arises from the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines. It is an extremely dangerous and painful disease that affects mostly older dogs (more than six years old), though all breeds are equally predisposed to leimyosarcoma. Moreover, the cancer has a tendency to metastasize to other sites in the gastrointestinal tract and other body organs.
Symptoms and Types
Most symptoms are related to gastrointestinal tract, including:
- Weight loss
- Blood in stool (hematochezia)
- Gas (flatulence)
- Stomach growling, or rumbling sound (borborygmus)
- Feeling of incomplete defecation (fenesmus)
The exact cause for this cancer is currently unknown.
You will need to give a thorough history of your dog’s health, including the onset and nature of the symptoms. He or she will then perform a complete physical examination, as well a biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and complete blood count (CBC) -- the results of which are usually within normal ranges. However, in some dogs with advanced forms of the disease, few abnormalities, including anemia, abnormally highly number of white blood cells (leukocytosis), and abnormally low glucose levels (hypoglycemia) may be noted. Other diagnostic procedures include abdominal X-rays and ultrasounds, which help to identify changes in the stomach and intestinal walls, such as thickening of the wall. Contrast radiography, meanwhile, is used to enhance visualization of tissue and improve localization of the tumor.
Endoscopy is another valuable tool for direct visualization of the affected areas. This is performed with an endoscope, a rigid or flexible tube inserted into the esophagus down to the stomach and intestines. As well as visually inspecting the region, the veterinarian will remove a sample of the affected area (stomach and/or intestine) for biopsy to confirm diagnosis.
Surgery remains the treatment of choice, which involves resection of the tumor mass along with some normal tissue. However, the extent of metastasis (such as in the liver) is a critical factor for final prognosis.
Living and Management
In cases of metastasis to other body organs, prognosis is very poor, where survival may only be a few months. Surgery may improve survival rates in some animals, but will require complete removal of the tumor mass. Following the surgery, you will have to take your dog for routine checkups, X-rays, and abdominal ultrasound every three months. Some dogs may also require special, easily digestible diets, as well as painkillers to alleviate soreness. Strictly adhere to the veterinarian's guidelines watch for recurrence of vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distention, and abdominal pain in the dog.
The growth of pathogens away from the original site of the disease
An increase in the number of white blood cells (abnormal)
Low amounts of glucose in the blood
The occurrence or invasion of pathogens away from the point where they originally occurred
The prediction of a disease’s outcome in advance
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
A procedure of imaging internal body structures by exposing film
Passing stool with blood in it
The digestive tract containing the stomach and intestine
The movement of gas in the gut that causes noise.
The process of removing tissue to examine it, usually for medical reasons.
The exiting of excrement from the body; bowel movements.
The process of making something larger by dilating or stretching it
The tube that extends from the mouth to the stomach
A type of instrument that is used to look inside the body
A condition of the blood in which normal red blood cell counts or hemoglobin are lacking.