Haemangiopericytomas in dogs: Epidemiological analysis of 136 cases

Abstract

Perivascular wall tumors (PWTs or haemangiopericytomas) are common in dogs, and they are clinically important in veterinary oncology, but there is no data on the occurrence of these tumors in dogs in Poland. The aim of the present study was an epidemiological analysis of canine perivascular wall tumors. The study included 136 dogs with recognized PWTs (whose frequency of occurrence was the same in females and males). The mean age of the dogs was 9.8±3.0 years, with no statistically significant difference between sexes. Among the dogs, 40.7% were mongrels, and 59.3% were purebred. Among the purebred dogs, 21 (26.3%) were German Shepherds, 17 (21.3%) were Boxers, 5 (6.3%) were Doberman pinchers and Rottweilers. Statistical analysis revealed that four breeds were predisposed to perivascular wall tumors in comparison to the general dog population: German Shepherds, Boxers, Doberman pinchers and Rottweilers. Moreover, large-breed (but not giant-breed) dogs were shown to be predisposed to PWTs. Tumors were located in the skin or subcutis of the entire body, mostly on the legs, more seldom on the trunk or the head. The most typical location for PWTs was the elbow area (11% of all cases).