Does thalidomide prolong survival in dogs with splenic haemangiosarcoma?

OBJECTIVES : To investigate thalidomide as an adjuvant treatment for canine haemangiosarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Fifteen dogs with splenic haemangiosarcoma, initially treated by splenectomy, were included. Following recovery from surgery, all dogs received thalidomide continuously until their death. Tumour stage was established using CT scans of the chest and abdomen immediately before starting thalidomide treatment and again three months later. Cause of death was confirmed by post mortem examination. RESULTS : The median survival time of dogs receiving thalidomide was 172 days (95% confidence interval: 93 to 250 days). Five dogs (33% of the population receiving thalidomide) survived more than 1 year (range 458 to 660 days) after surgery. Dogs with stage 2 disease that received thalidomide also had a longer survival time than dogs with stage 3 disease (median survival time 303 versus 40 days). Of 15 dogs, 13 died from metastatic haemangiosarcoma. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE : Treatment using thalidomide may improve survival of dogs with splenic haemangiosarcoma and should be considered a possible adjuvant therapy.