It is human nature: we hear “tumor” and immediately think “cancer.” Who wouldn’t? With the frightening statistics that one out of every four people will die of cancer, we live in a cancer-conscious society, constantly fearful that we, or someone we love, will be the “unlucky one.”
So, slow down and take a deep breath. Your veterinarian said your dog has a tumor, but he did not say your dog has cancer. Dogs are prone to many types of benign tumors. A tumor is just another name for a lump, a bump, a mass, or a scabby thing that the vet cannot identify without further diagnosis. In fact, the Colorado State University cancer site states, “Technically, a tumor is just a swelling which may or may not be a cancer. Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth which can be benign (not invasive and does not spread) or malignant (usually invasive into surrounding tissue and capable of spreading to other areas of the body).”
How to Handle Tumors in Dogs
Do not panic. Ask your vet what the best course of treatment is from this point.
Most tumors in dogs are external—lumps, bumps, and scabs. There are many types of benign skin tumors, such as histiocytomas, lipomas, cysts, and sebaceous adenomas. The list goes on. External lumps can also include mammary tumors—both benign and malignant—as well as testicular cancer. Internal tumors are usually malignant forms of cancer that, depending on the type and location, can respond well to surgery and chemotherapy.
There are several ways to diagnose and treat skin tumors. Many vets will want to perform a fine needle aspirate of the lump. This involves using a syringe to extract some of the contents from the lump, so your vet or a veterinary pathologist can make an accurate diagnosis. This is a non-invasive procedure and is no worse than your dog’s yearly vaccines. Often, the vet can determine what’s in the lump right away, as the most common lumps are merely a cyst or a lipoma, a benign fatty tumor common in older dogs. If it’s something more serious, the contents will be sent off for histology or diagnosis from the veterinary pathologist.
From this point, you and your vet can decide whether the tumor needs to be removed. If the lump is small but may grow, it’s advisable to have your vet remove it. For lumps under 6mm across, no general anesthetic is necessary, as it can be done under sedation and local “freezing.” The wear and tear on your pet is much less, and the small incision will not be noticeable when it heals.
For larger or growing lumps, removal depends on your dog’s overall health and whether the tumor inhibits their movement or negatively affects their quality of life. Lumps on the face, back of the neck, areas where a collar may sit, armpits or “legpits,” around the anus, or on the tail should be removed. These can cause discomfort over time, so it’s better to remove them while the surgery is still manageable.
Most vets will recommend surgically removing mammary and testicular tumors, even if they believe them to be benign. If the tumors are found while still small, the surgery is usually simple, and recovery is uneventful. In the case of a testicular tumor, especially, it’s just a matter of neutering the dog. In both cases, because neither the tumor nor the surgery enters the abdominal or chest cavity, the risk of post-surgical complications is minimal.
Abdominal tumors or tumors within the chest cavity are altogether different. Talking openly with your vet about the best course of action for your beloved pet is critical, and considering the dog’s age and post-surgery quality of life is mandatory.
A common question is, “When should an owner worry about a lump?” Here are a few guidelines for lumps, bumps, and tumors:
- Lumps on toes, feet, ears, and noses must be seen by your vet as soon as possible. Some invasive cancers target these areas. Additionally, if the lump needs to be removed, the smaller it is, the better. The skin on these areas is limited, and they are difficult to heal without complications.
- External or skin tumors that grow quickly should be seen promptly, as rapid growth is often a sign of something aggressive.
- If a tumor cannot be wiggled around and feels attached to something underneath, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
- Lumps or bumps in active areas, such as around the lips, eyes, armpits, anus, or tail, should be removed while they are still small, even if they appear benign, to keep your dog as comfortable as possible.
If you are ever worried about a lump or anything related to the health and well-being of your pet, make an appointment with your vet. In veterinary medicine, it is always better to catch problems when they are small rather than waiting until there is a crisis. And if your vet says your dog has a tumor, stay calm and ask for more details.
