Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Thalidomide treatment and survival in dogs with splenic
By Bray, J P et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2018·Veterinary Teaching Hospital·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Does thalidomide prolong survival in dogs with splenic haemangiosarcoma?
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Fifteen dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma (a type of cancer affecting the spleen) underwent surgery to remove the spleen and then received thalidomide as an additional treatment. After starting thalidomide, the average survival time for these dogs was about 172 days, with some dogs living over a year after surgery. Dogs with earlier-stage disease (stage 2) had a better chance of longer survival compared to those with more advanced disease (stage 3). While most dogs eventually passed away due to the cancer spreading, thalidomide may help improve survival times for some dogs with this condition.
People also search for: dog hemangiosarcoma treatment · thalidomide for dogs cancer · dog spleen cancer survival rate
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate thalidomide as an adjuvant treatment for canine haemangiosarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen dogs with splenic haemangiosarcoma, initially treated by splenectomy, were included. Following recovery from surgery, all dogs received thalidomide continuously until their death. Tumour stage was established using CT scans of the chest and abdomen immediately before starting thalidomide treatment and again three months later. Cause of death was confirmed by post mortem examination. RESULTS: The median survival time of dogs receiving thalidomide was 172 days (95% confidence interval: 93 to 250 days). Five dogs (33% of the population receiving thalidomide) survived more than 1 year (range 458 to 660 days) after surgery. Dogs with stage 2 disease that received thalidomide also had a longer survival time than dogs with stage 3 disease (median survival time 303 versus 40 days). Of 15 dogs, 13 died from metastatic haemangiosarcoma. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Treatment using thalidomide may improve survival of dogs with splenic haemangiosarcoma and should be considered a possible adjuvant therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29210452/