What can you do for a dog with liver cancer?

Our vets understand that a diagnosis of liver cancer for your dog is terrifying. However it may not be all bad news depending on the type of liver cancer your dogs has.

Are all tumors found in a dog's liver cancerous?

Your dog's liver is responsible for removing toxins from the body, aiding in digestion and helping with clotting blood. 

Often, tumors found in a dog's liver are benign, and cancerous tumors that are diagnosed tend to result from metastatic cancers that have spread to the liver from other areas in your dog's body.

If your pup has been diagnosed with liver cancer it could mean either that your dog has actual primary liver cancer which is rare, or your dog has another type of metastatic cancer that has spread to the liver.

What is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer in dogs, but there are a few others, including bile duct carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumor, and mesenchymal sarcoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in dogs can present in three ways:

• Diffuse - Cancer seen throughout the entire liver.
• Nodular -  Several masses spread throughout the liver
• Massive - A single large turmor found in the liver

It is important to keep in mind that if your dog is diagnosed with a massive hepatocellular carcinoma, this term is not a description of the size of your dog's tumor, it is simply the term for a single large tumor.

Massive tumors are the most common form of hepatocellular carcinoma in dogs and have a somewhat lower rate of metastasis than either nodular or diffuse tumors and tend to be easier to remove. That said, if left untreated all forms of primary liver cancer will metastasize to other parts of the dog's body.

What is metastatic cancer of the liver?

Metastatic cancer of the liver means that the cancer found in your dog's liver has spread from somewhere else in your dog's body. Some of the most common cancers which can lead to metastatic liver cancer in dogs include: lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, intestinal carcinoma, thyroid cancer, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumors, transitional cell sarcoma, mammary carcinoma, and hemangiosarcoma.

Which dogs are most susceptible to liver cancer?

Older dogs are most often diagnosed with liver cancer, but this disease can also be seen in younger dogs. While hepatocellular carcinoma has not been linked to any specific breeds, dogs predisposed to other types of cancer that can metastasize to the liver include Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Poodles and Rottweilers.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer in Dogs

Early signs of liver cancer can be very difficult to detect in dogs since dogs are often asymptomatic in the early stages of the disease. Sadly this means that by the time symptoms become evident the disease is fairly progressed. Some of the most common symptoms of liver cancer in dogs include:

• Weight loss
• Jaundice (Yellowing of eyes, skin and gums)
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Fever
• Lethargy

• Weakness
• Excessive thirst
• Increased urination
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

In some cases vets are able to spot the signs of liver abnormalities such as unusual bloodwork results, liver enlargement or abdominal pain on palpation, during routine wellness exams before symptoms have appeared.

Diagnosing Liver Cancer in Dogs

To diagnose liver cancer, your vet may run lab tests to look for signs of liver dysfunction such as urinalysis, diagnostic imaging tests including radiographs or ultrasounds, or a biopsy or a needle aspiration of the liver to look for cancerous cells.

Following a diagnosis of liver cancer your vet will work with you to come up with the best treatment plan for your dog’s condition.

How long do dogs with liver cancer live?

Although receiving a diagnosis of primary liver cancer such as hepatocellular carcinoma for your dog may sound like a terrible diagnosis, the liver has the remarkable capability of regenerating. This means that even if a large portion of the liver is removed it can rebuild itself. It's also good to note that massive hepatocellular carcinoma tumors grow slowly, giving your dog's vet the time and opportunity to remove the affected parts of your dog’s liver and increase the chances that your dog will make a full recovery!

Surgery to remove a massive hepatocellular carcinoma tumors is generally the most effective treatment for liver cancer in dogs. Dogs that have been diagnosed with tumors which are then surgically removed, have a good prognosis, and often enjoy a good quality of life for years following treatment.

On the other hand, some malignant tumors such as nodular or diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma tumors and tumors from a metastasized cancer cannot be removed and the prognosis is poor (usually around 3-6 months). In some cases chemotherapy can be successful in delaying the progression of cancer, but is unlikely to be curative. If this is the case for your dog, your vet will work with you to decide how best to keep your pup comfortable.

Golden retriever dog lying in front door of house, looking away (focus on foreground)

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Liver cancer in dogs is a tumorous growth in the lining of the liver, which is the organ responsible for removing toxins for the body, aiding in digestion, and helping with blood clotting.

Tumors in dogs’ livers are usually benign, and cancerous tumors of the liver most often result from metastatic cancers that originated elsewhere in the body and spread to the liver.

Cancer that actually originates in the liver is rare, and though there are several types of liver cancer that can affect dogs, including bile duct carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumor, and mesenchymal tumor, the one that makes up over 50 percent of cases of malignant liver tumors in dogs is hepatocellular carcinoma.

Most cases of hepatocellular carcinoma are treatable with surgery, and dogs generally recover, so long as the entire mass is removed. If you see the signs of liver cancer in your dog, get to your veterinarian immediately for a diagnosis and treatment. The earlier it’s caught, the better the chances of recovery.

Here’s what you should know about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for liver cancer in dogs.

Symptoms Of Liver Cancer In Dogs

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Most dogs show no symptoms of liver cancer until the tumor has grown large enough to cause problems. When symptoms do appear, they can mimic the signs of other diseases and conditions, making it difficult to catch.

If you see the following signs, get to your veterinarian so they can properly diagnose the condition and begin treatment:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Diarrhea, which may be bloody
• Vomiting
• Jaundice
• Ascites
• Abdominal distension
• A mass that can be felt in the stomach
• Ulcers
• Disorientation, odd behavior, or personality changes
• Seizures or coma

Causes Of Liver Cancer In Dogs

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The causes of liver cancer in dogs are mostly unknown, though there are a few factors that increase the likelihood of liver cancer forming.

Age is one of these factors, as liver cancer most often appears in dogs over nine years old. There may also be a genetic component.

Exposure to toxins or certain medications can cause liver damage, as can direct injury of the liver area. Chronic inflammation of the liver may be a factor, too.

Treatments For Liver Cancer In Dogs

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The treatment for liver cancer in dogs is generally surgical removal of the tumor. This often depends on the type of tumor that has formed.

Massive tumors, which form in one, large mass, are the most likely to be removable with surgery. Up to 75 percent of the liver can be removed, and the organ will still function properly. Massive tumors are also less likely to metastasize, and dogs who have this type of cancer are more likely to recover than with other types.

Nodular cancer means that several masses have appeared throughout the liver, and diffuse tumors affect the entire liver. These types of cancer are generally inoperable, and chemotherapy is usually not effective. They often metastasize and spread to the lungs, lymph nodes, kidneys, brain, intestines, or spleen. The prognosis for these cancers is not good.

There is some evidence that diet changes and supplements may help fight cancer or help the liver to recover. Although the causes of liver cancer are mostly unknown, it helps to get regular check-ups at the vet and avoid toxins from things like household chemicals and poisonous plants.

Do you keep up with regular vet visits that can help detect issues like liver cancer early? Do you check your dog for symptoms often? Let us know in the comments below!

Categories: Canine Cancer

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