Liver tumors in dogs are either primary (arising from hepatocytes, bile ducts, neuroendocrine cells or mesenchymal tissue) or metastatic, and metastatic tumors are the more common of the two. The most important primary tumor is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its gross form decides almost everything: a single massive HCC is often cured by liver lobectomy, whereas nodular and diffuse tumors usually cannot be removed.
Key facts
Hepatic neoplasia at a glance- Species and system: dog; liver (hepatobiliary system).
- Frequency: liver tumors are 0.6-1.3% of canine neoplasms; most affected dogs are over 10 years old.
- Most common primary tumor: hepatocellular carcinoma; metastatic tumors are more common than primary tumors overall.
- Classic presentation: older dog with lethargy, inappetence and weight loss, a palpable cranial abdominal mass and increased ALP and AST, or acute collapse from tumor rupture and hemoabdomen.
- Key prognostic feature: massive (single lobe) versus nodular or diffuse form.
- Treatment of choice for massive tumors: liver lobectomy; chemotherapy is generally ineffective for primary liver tumors.
- Not zoonotic, not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and control
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 15 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.