ACVIM Small Animal Internal Medicine (SAIM) Seminal Paper Practice Exam

The main concept is that osteosarcoma in dogs most often involves the appendicular skeleton, especially the long bones of the limbs in their metaphyseal regions. This explains why the classic sites are the distal radius, proximal humerus, and the distal or proximal ends of the femur and tibia. These areas have rapid bone turnover and intense osteoblastic activity, which predispose to tumor development. While flat bones, the skull, or the pelvis can be affected, they are far less common than the long bones of the limbs.