Figure 4: CT scan: Note large liver mass (arrow) causing compression of the caudal
vena cava and portal vein (arrow head).
signs for dogs with hepatic
neoplasia
are
anorexia/
inappetence, lethargy, vomiting,
weight loss and ascites. 2-4 Icterus is
more commonly seen in dogs with
extrahepatic bile duct carcinomas
or diffuse neuroendocrine tumors.
Hematologic
and
biochemical
abnormalities
are
typically
2
nonspecific. Leukocytosis, anemia
and thrombocytosis are common in
dogs
with
liver
tumors. 1-4
Leukocytosis is most likely as a result
of inflammation and necrosis caused
by large liver masses. The cause of
anemia is unknown but some have
hypothesized chronic disease, iron
deficiency, or red blood cell
sequestration. 2 The proposed causes
of elevated platelets include; anemia,
iron
deficiency,
inflammatory
cytokines
and
paraneoplastic
production of thrombopoietin. 2 Most
dogs have at least one elevated liver
enzyme and there is no correlation
between
degree
of
hepatic
involvement and magnitude of liver
enzyme alteration. However, alkaline
phosphatase
(ALP)
and
alanine
transferase (ALT) are commonly
increased in primary hepatic tumors,
whereas aspartate aminotrasferase
(AST)
and
bilirubin
are
more
consistently elevated in dogs with
metastatic liver tumors. In addition,
AST:ALT ratio of less than 1 is
consistent with HCC or bile duct tumor
and greater than one with a carcinoid
or sarcoma. 3
Radiographs, abdominal ultrasound,
CT and MRI can be used for the
diagnosis, staging and surgical
planning of cats and dogs with