Definition  Fibrosarcomas

Sarcoma: a malignant tumor (cancer) of the  These types of sarcoma develop in cells
bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, tendons, fibrous called fibrocytes, and histiocytes. Normal
tissue, nerves, blood vessels, or other connective developing cells make up the fibrous
and supportive tissue. tissues that join structures of the body
such as muscles to bones. This type of
Clinical signs tumor may be noticed as a firm lump that
is not painful to the rat.
May observe any of the following:
 Malignant Fibrous Histiocytomas or "MFH"
 A swelling / growth not accompanied by  A soft tissue sarcoma that has several
any infection. histologic variations such as the following:
 A firm, fixed growth that seems to storiform-pleomorphic, myxoid,
enlarge. inflammatory, giant cell, and angiomatoid.
 A painless mass. Once such variant, Myxosarcoma or
 Signs of pain may be gradual, may be Myxofibrosarcoma is of fibroblast origin
dependent on size of growth and location, containing mucopolysaccharides in a
( e.g. growth involving a limb may cause myxoid matrix (mucin or mucus like), and
the rat to favor the limb or to limp.) may affect any part of the body but is
 Systemic illness related to metastasis. most frequently found to occur in the
 Easily tires. chest or limbs. 
 Weight loss. In general, all of these tumors tend to be
 Loss of appetite. aggressive.

Etiology  Desmoid tumors

 Is a fibrous sarcoma that tends to grow
Sarcoma, a Greek word meaning “fleshy growth”,
slowly. While these tumors do not tend to
is a type of tumor that is often highly malignant.
spread to distant sites in the body, they
These tumors generally develop rapidly and can
may extend into nearby tissues.
metastasize via the lymph channels. Composed
of cells derived from connective and supportive  Liposarcomas
tissues, sarcomas are often separated into two
 This type of sarcoma develops in the fat
categories:
cells, usually in the layer nearest the skin,
and can grow anywhere in the body. Their
 Soft Tissue Sarcomas: tumors that
benign counterpart is called a lipoma.
develop in the soft tissues (also known as
the mesenchyma) of the body such as  Synovial sarcomas
the: muscles, tendons (bands of fiber that
connect the muscles to bones), fibrous  Sarcomas appear as hard lumps that can
tissues, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and not only develop near joints but in other
synovial tissues (tissues around joints) parts of the body as well. Some studies
that connect, support, or that surround indicate that this type of tumor has not
the structures and organs in the body. been identified in rats.
 Osteosarcoma: tumors that develop in
 Rhabdomyosarcomas
the bone, which have a different
development than those of soft tissue  Sarcomas that develop in the active
sarcomas. Those tumors that arise in bone muscles known as skeletal muscle or
and contain both cartilage and bone are striated muscle (muscle under our
called compound osteosarcomas. Primary control). This type of tumor can occur in
tumors of bone are not a common finding the head, neck, pelvis, and limbs. In some
in pet rats, but when present, treatment is laboratory studies where
primarily palliative.
 Sarcomatous growths can arise most Leiomyosarcomas
anywhere on the body such as: back, These tumors develop from smooth muscle cells,
chest, the hip and leg area, and in the and can occur anywhere in the body. Smooth
abdomen. muscle is involuntary muscle (muscle not under
voluntary control) that forms the walls of the
 Soft tissue sarcomas are further classified rat’s bicornuate uterus, the stomach, intestine
into subtypes based on the specific tissue and the blood vessels.
type they affect, not from where they
arise.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours  Dietary influence ( increased fat, high
(MPNST) protein, and high calorie intake)
This type of sarcoma develops in the cells that  Chemical exposure (pine and cedar
cover nerves and can occur anywhere in the bedding)
body. Cells which form the sheath around the  Infection
nerve cells are called schwann cells. Tumors that  Hormonal
develop from these cells can also be called  Aging
malignant schwannomas or neurofibrosarcomas.  Poor immune system
Their benign counterparts are schwannomas
(neurilemoma) or neurofibromas. Diagnostics

Fine needle biopsy is not always recommended

Angiosarcoma
due to the risk of introducing malignant cells
Sarcomas that develop from cells that make up back through the biopsy tract.
the walls of blood or lymph vessels. 
While an x-ray may confirm bone tumor or an
 Hemangiosarcomas: developed from blood ultrasonogram a soft tissue sarcoma, these are
vessels.  not always feasible in a rat, and may not be
 Lymphangiosarcomas: developed from affordable for a pet owner.
lymph vessels.
Confirmation may in some cases only come if
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours able to do a core biopsy, or if a necropsy is
Sarcomas that develop from the cells of the permitted following the the rat’s death. 
connective tissues that support the organs of the Microscopic examination of tissue from a core
digestive system. Primary GI stromal tumors are biopsy can show the extent of cellular
not common in pet rats. abnormality. This will help to determine if the
tumor is low-grade (unlikely to metastasize) or
Two additional categories, Kaposi’s sarcoma and high-grade (more likely to metastasize).
Ewings sarcoma, are not mentioned herein as
there are no documented cases for pet rats at Treatment
this time.
Excision of soft tissue sarcomas, if feasible and
health permits, is recommended. If possible, the
Soft tissue sarcomas, in the early stage of tumor
veterinarian may remove the cancer and a safe
growth, do not often cause discomfort as soft
margin of the healthy tissue around it in order to
tissue is relatively elastic (stretches to
prevent further spread of the cancer.
accommodate growth). This means tumors can
often grow fairly large before they start to cause
While in some cases amputation may be
discomfort or pain by pushing on nearby
considered with soft tissue sarcoma of the leg, it
structures such as organs, muscle, or nerves. 
is not always practical. However, should
Where soft tissue sarcomas are present, removal
amputation be the choice of treatment, it is
of the tumor with clean margins is often the
recommended that a broad-spectrum antibiotic
treatment of choice while the tumor is small.
along with medication for pain control be given.
Tumor grading and staging can be done to
determine how slow or fast growing the tumor
Rats do experience pain with surgical procedures.
type is, and how likely it is to spread to other
The type of pain medication used post-op should
tissues. There is more than one system type
be determined based on extent of procedure and
used. The following sites can be viewed for more
the anticipated severity of pain.
information on grading and staging.

Recommended post-op analgesics:

In cases where these tumors cannot be excised
due to the size of tumor, organ involvement, or For severe pain or first 24 hours post-
metastasis, the prognosis is grave. op: Buprenex (buprenorphine), or Torbugesic
(butorphanol).
While the cause of sarcoma is not generally
known, research has suggested that some types For mild to moderate pain : Banamine (flunixin
of sarcoma tumors may be due to a damaged meglumine), Metacam (meloxicam), or carprofen.
gene that controls the activity of supporting Do not use if a corticosteroid has already been
tissues. prescribed.

Besides genetics, other factors may influence or

increase the chance of sarcoma development in
pet rats. These factors may Include: