Identification of a solitary splenic mass during surgery for gastric dilatation-volvulus is associated with diagnosis of splenic neoplasia in dogs

TL;DR

This study finds that dogs with one or two visible splenic masses during surgery for a stomach condition are more likely to have spleen cancer.

Contribution

The study identifies a significant association between the number of visible splenic lesions and the likelihood of splenic malignancy in dogs undergoing splenectomy for GDV.

Findings

Dogs with solitary or two visible splenic lesions had higher malignancy rates compared to those with no or multiple lesions.

The prevalence of splenic malignancy was 10.9% overall, with 19.1% in dogs with a single lesion.

Histopathology is recommended for spleens with one or two discrete masses due to higher cancer risk.

Abstract

To describe associations between abnormalities in splenic tissue removed secondary to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) correction and histopathologic diagnosis of splenic malignancy.

Dogs treated with splenectomy secondary to GDV correction at any of 83 US veterinary referral hospitals between January 1, 2013 and May 1, 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Data related to signalment, visual, and tactile description of the spleen during surgery, and results from the splenic histopathology report were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize histopathologic diagnoses. Frequency proportions were estimated with 95% binomial confidence intervals.

One hundred thirty-eight dogs were included. The median (range) weight was 31.5 (6–99.7) kg; the median (range) age was 10.1 (1.6–15.1) years. Malignancy was diagnosed in 15 of 138 (10.9%; 95% CI: 6.2%−17.3%) dogs. The prevalence of splenic malignancy did not differ significantly across age or weight quartiles. Malignancy rates significantly differed by the number of visible lesions in the spleen. There were no (0%; 95% CI: 0.0%−7.7%) malignancies in 46 dogs without visible splenic lesions, 13 (19.1%; 95% CI: 10.6%−30.5%) malignancies in 68 dogs with solitary/single visible lesions, 2 (14.3%; 95% CI: 1.8%−42.8%) malignancies in 14 dogs with two visible lesions, and 0 (0%; 95% CI: 0.0%−30.8%) malignancies in 10 dogs with 3 or more visible splenic lesions.

The number of lesions in spleens removed secondary to GDV correction was associated with identification of splenic malignancy.

The financial cost associated with splenic histopathology following splenectomy secondary to GDV correction may be warranted in spleens with one or two discrete masses.