🔍 Introduction & Key Insights

Cutaneous hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a rare but serious cancer originating from blood vessel lining in the skin or subcutaneous tissue of cats. While much less common than visceral HSA, this skin form—when identified early and treated promptly—can be managed effectively in many cats.

• 🟥 Presents as red-purple raised or ulcerated skin nodules, often on sun-exposed or non-pigmented areas.
• 🔬 Diagnosis requires biopsy and imaging to confirm malignancy and rule out metastasis.
• ✂️ Treatment centers on wide-margin surgical excision—curative in most cases.
• 📈 Prognosis is excellent after surgery; mean survival up to 622–912 days when excised cleanly :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• ☀️ Sun exposure may play a role—sun protection recommended :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• 📱 Ask A Vet supports photo monitoring, sun-safety guidance, and follow-up care.

1. What Is Cutaneous Hemangiosarcoma?

Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumor of endothelial cells that line blood vessels. In cats, the most common forms are splenic or cardiac, but cutaneous variants arise in or just under the skin—often on limbs or trunk—and can metastasize if untreated :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

2. Epidemiology & Risk Factors

• 📊 Rare in cats—cutaneous and subcutaneous cases are more frequent than visceral :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• 🧓 Affects older neutered cats; spayed females may be at slightly higher risk :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• 🌞 UV radiation exposure is a suspected risk factor, especially in white or short-haired cats :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

3. Clinical Signs & Presentation

• 🟥 Discolored nodules or plaques: red, blue, purple—may ulcerate or bleed.
• 📏 Lesions can be solitary or multiple, most commonly on trunk or limbs.
• ➕ Firm or fluctuant depending on blood pooling; may crust.
• 🩺 No systemic signs in localized cases, but bleeding or secondary infection may occur.
• ⏳ Subcutaneous variants may involve deeper tissues and recur more often :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

4. Diagnosing Cutaneous HSA

1. Physical exam: assess size, ulceration, lymph nodes.
2. Biopsy & histopathology: required for definitive diagnosis—FNA often inconclusive due to blood content :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
3. Imaging: chest X-rays, abdominal ultrasound to rule out metastasis :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
4. Bloodwork: baseline health, clotting status, anemia.

5. Treatment Protocols

a. Wide-Margin Surgical Excision

• ✂️ Perform wide excision including normal margins to remove all malignant cells.
• 💡 Achieves long-term disease control; cases with clear margins often disease-free :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• 📋 Subcutaneous lesions may require deeper resections and show higher recurrence :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

b. Adjunctive Therapies

• 📡 Radiation therapy may help where surgical margins are incomplete.
• 💊 Chemotherapy use in cutaneous HSA is not well studied; visceral forms treated with doxorubicin :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

c. Supportive Care

• 🩸 Manage ulceration, infection with wound care and antibiotics.
• 🛡 Prevent self-trauma—use soft E-collar if needed.
• 🩹 Provide pain relief and maintain nutrition, hydration.

6. Prognosis & Survival Time

• 📈 Cutaneous form shows excellent prognosis: MST 622–912 days with surgery :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• ⏳ Subcutaneous variant has guarded prognosis; recurrence more common :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• ⚠ Visceral HSA—rare but aggressive, MST ~2–3 months post-surgery :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• 🔄 Local recurrence and metastasis are low in cutaneous cases—especially when margins are clear.

7. Follow-Up & Monitoring

• 📅 Recheck every 3 months first year; spacing to 6 months later.
• 📷 Use Ask A Vet to share lesion photos between visits, especially for red-flag changes.
• 🔬 Imaging follow-up of lungs/abdomen if concerning signs develop.
• 📈 Monitor for new lesions—metastases can present as skin lumps.

8. Prevention Strategies

• ☀️ Limit sun exposure; provide shaded spots and consider cat-safe sunscreen on pale areas :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• 🏡 Keep cats indoors during peak UV hours.
• 🔍 Inspect skin monthly—note any red, purple, or non-healing bumps.
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet for instant photo triage and lesion advice.

9. FAQs

Is cutaneous HSA common in cats?

No—it’s rare and requires biopsy for confirmation. Benign lesions are far more likely.

Will surgery cure it?

Wide-margin excision often results in long-term remission—with MST up to 2–3 years if margins are clean.

What if it comes back?

Local recurrence may be surgically re-treated. Subcutaneous cases may need further intervention.

Is chemo necessary?

For cutaneous cases, surgery is usually enough. Chemotherapy is reserved for high-risk or visceral disease.

10. Role of Ask A Vet Remote Support

• 📸 Owners can upload lesion and wound healing photos for remote review.
• 🔔 Get medication and follow-up reminders via app.
• 🧭 Help determine urgency for recheck if new lumps develop.

Conclusion

While cutaneous hemangiosarcoma in cats can appear alarming, early detection and wide-margin surgical excision lead to excellent outcomes. With vigilant owner monitoring, sun protection, and remote follow-up through Ask A Vet, cats can enjoy long and healthy lives post-treatment 🐾📲.

If you notice a red-purple bump—or your cat’s skin changes—don’t delay: contact your vet or use Ask A Vet for photo-based assessment and support.