Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pericardial effusion from heart lymphoma in 12 dogs
By MacGregor, John M et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2005·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Cardiac lymphoma and pericardial effusion in dogs: 12 cases (1994-2004).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Twelve dogs with pericardial effusion, a condition where fluid builds up around the heart, were found to have cardiac lymphoma, a type of cancer. Most of these dogs were large breeds, and the condition was diagnosed through tests of the fluid around their hearts. Dogs that received chemotherapy lived an average of 157 days, while those that did not receive treatment had a shorter survival time of about 22 days. Some dogs treated with chemotherapy even survived longer than expected. This suggests that cardiac lymphoma might not always lead to a poor outcome.
People also search for: dog pericardial effusion treatment · cardiac lymphoma in dogs · dog cancer survival rates · large breed dog heart problems · chemotherapy for dog lymphoma
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical characteristics and clinicopathologic findings, including results of pericardial fluid analysis, and determine the outcome associated with pericardial effusion caused by cardiac lymphoma in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 12 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of affected dogs were reviewed for echocardiographic findings, radiographic findings, results of pericardial fluid analysis, clinicopathologic findings, treatment protocols, and outcomes. RESULTS: Pericardial effusion was detected by echocardiography in all 12 dogs, and lymphoma was detected by cytologic examination of the effusion (11/12 dogs) or histologic examination of pericardium (3/12). Large-breed dogs were overrepresented; median weight was 40.5 kg (89.1 lb). Most hematologic and biochemical changes were mild and non-specific. Survival time for dogs treated with combination chemotherapeutic agents was 157 days and for dogs that did not receive chemotherapy survival time was 22 days. This difference was not significant, but several dogs had long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cardiac lymphoma is an uncommon cause of pericardial effusion, and results suggest that cardiac lymphoma does not always warrant the poor prognosis of other stage V, substage b lymphomas.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16279390/