Canine Leiomyosarcoma - Cancer Of The Muscle Tissu

Leiomyosarcoma is often shortened to LMS for ease of pronunciation, and is a type of cancer that affects certain types of muscle tissues in dogs, and which is classed as a smooth muscle cancer. Leiomyosarcoma is not the most common form of soft tissue cancer in dogs, but accounts for anything up to 15% of all canine malignant soft tissue cancer diagnosis, and is one that can take many years of slow development to become apparent, hence being most commonly diagnosed in older dogs.


In this article we will look at leiomyosarcoma in dogs in more detail, including what type of dogs are most likely to be affected by the condition, how to identify its onset, and what can be done about it. Read on to learn more about leiomyosarcoma or LMS in dogs.


What is leiomyosarcoma?


Leiomyosarcoma is a type of cancer that affects certain types of muscle tissue, most commonly those of the intestine and stomach. However, it can also potentially affect any area of muscular soft tissue, including, potentially, the area surrounding the spleen.


LMS tends to occur as a localised lesion or tumour that affects one specific area of the body in the first instance, although it is a fairly aggressive type of cancer that will often spread quickly to the surrounding organs and tissue.What type of dogs are at risk of the condition?


Dogs of any breed or type can develop LMS, and it affects male and female dogs equally frequently. It is rarely diagnosed in dogs under the age of around six or seven, and most commonly presents in dogs over the age of ten, and so can fairly be classed as mainly a condition of old age.


Whilst no specific hereditary predisposition to LMS has been identified in any one breed more than others, leiomyosarcoma tends to be more prevalent in large and giant breeds of dogs than smaller ones, so for those that own very large dogs, such as the Newfoundland or Bernese mountain dog, it is something that you should be aware of.


What are the symptoms