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22
Neoplastic Conditions of the Pelvic Limb
Bernard Séguin
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Flint Animal Cancer Center, Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, CO, USA
22.1 Introduction
Neoplastic conditions of the pelvic limb are similar to those of the thoracic limb though
osteosarcoma is less prevalent, and neoplasia of the peripheral nervous system is also less fre-
quently seen. On the other hand, the lumbar area is the most common site for spinal metastasis.
Please refer to Chapter 11 for details regarding the diagnostic workup of neoplasia.
22.2 Neoplasia of Specific Regions
22.2.1 Distal Limb Region
Digital and non‐digital tumors should be considered as differential diagnoses and the diagnosis
and treatment options are the same as for the thoracic limb (Section 17.2.1). Digital squamous cell
carcinoma affects the pelvic limb less frequently than the thoracic limb.
22.2.2 Tarsal Region
Similar to the carpus region of the thoracic limb, the lack of soft tissue coverage surrounding the
tarsus frequently results in earlier diagnosis of neoplasia of the region since owners may observe a
swelling, particularly in short‐haired dogs.
In contrast to the thoracic limb, osteosarcoma occurs in the metaphyseal areas of the proximal
and distal femur and tibia at a similar rate (Brodey et al. 1963). Therefore, the maxim “osteosar-
coma stays close to the stifle,” meaning osteosarcoma is more common in the distal femur and
proximal tibia and rare in the distal tibia and proximal femur, is not true. In fact, if a bone tumor
of the distal tibia is diagnosed, it is most likely an osteosarcoma. The diagnostic approach and
treatment is similar to primary bone tumors of the distal radius. Limb‐sparing techniques for
primary bone tumors are not well developed for the pelvic limb, and full limb amputation is most
frequently performed as a treatment.
Canine Lameness, First Edition. Edited by Felix Michael Duerr.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Companion website: www.wiley.com/go/duerr/lameness
