Grossly normal-appearing livers have low risk of metastatic malignancy in dogs with splenic masses.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of hepatic malignancy in patients with splenic malignancy using the gross appearance of the liver as a marker for disease. METHODS: Medical records from 2012 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed, and 273 dogs that underwent splenectomy from 2 veterinary referral centers were identified. Data collected included patient demographic data, splenic and liver histopathology, gross appearance of the liver, and the presence or absence of hemoabdomen. RESULTS: 38% (104 of 273) of dogs with splenic histopathology were determined to have splenic malignancy. Of these, 71% (74 of 104) had hemangiosarcoma. Eleven percent (27 of 250) of dogs with liver histopathology had malignant liver lesions. Two hundred forty of these cases were able to be compared to the splenic histopathology. Of the malignant liver biopsy specimens, 74% (20 of 27) of liver biopsies had the same malignancy identified in the spleen, including 19% (14 of 74) of splenic hemangiosarcoma cases. The presence of liver malignancy was statistically correlated with a grossly abnormal appearance of the liver (χ2 = 32.5). A predictive linear regression formula was developed with the applicable variables. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong association with gross liver appearance and metastatic disease from a primary splenic tumor. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results indicate that liver biopsies should be obtained for cases in which the liver has grossly visible abnormalities. Grossly normal-appearing livers have a low risk of having histopathologic malignancy. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the clinical application of the predictive formula.