Quote: Alec S. Garrison

He was originally brought to the vet for red blotches on his neck from what I thought was his collar irritating him and a small lump on the side of his neck. They said the urine culture was normal as well as his bloodwork, but the lump is a Mast cell tumor which needs to be removed.

Here ya go, Betty.

Yikes.

 Quote: michael_wise

 Quote: alec s. garrison

He was originally brought to the vet for red blotches on his neck from what I thought was his collar irritating him and a small lump on the side of his neck. They said the urine culture was normal as well as his bloodwork, but the lump is a Mast cell tumor which needs to be removed.

Here ya go, Betty.

Just the one? Aspiration cytology done? What about the "edges"? (What do you call that, Betty? The good clear differentiation that helps determine grade?)

What else besides "needs to be removed" did the vet say?




eta
Here is the material I saved as being clearest:

http://www.kateconnick.com/library/mastcelltumor.html

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_mast_cell_tumors.html

http://rainbowsbridge.com/New_Beginnings/pets_in_need/pets_with_cancer/Mast_Cell_Tumors_Dogs.htm



Edited by Connie Sutherland (01/20/2011 10:22 PM)
Edit reason: eta

He said a Aspirate and cytology was done. Thats how they know it's a mast cell tumor, silly! C'mon Connie- did you not get enough coffee today?

Clear margins are the term you're looking for I believe. I don't think there is a way to REALLY know how large the area of effected tissue is until you're inside and looking at it. You'd be able to say you have 'clear surgical margins' if you were able to get all the yucky tissue, and some specific portion (I don't know exactly what the amount is, but I believe it's in relation to the size of the mass) of clear tissue removed.

We just removed a LARGE Mast cell tumor at work a few weeks ago on a Westie. It was right over the jugular, cool surgery to watch, but took a LONG time with how careful the Dr. had to be with all that blood flow just under the mass. (Mass was apx 4'')

Its on the side of his neck. Where his collar would cover it. They haven't said what kind. They used a needle to draw out fluid/cells and told me that there were cells that are cancerous. They want to remove the lump and do a biopsy.

Jeter has had the lump for about 6 to 8 weeks and I have been watching it all the while. I don't usually run to the vet so fast with things like this because Ive learned by having dogs my whole life and an experience with my other Pit mix, Dakota that dogs get skin irritations and things like that from time to time and its no big deal.

Jeter and Dakota play rough with each other all the time and from time time they would get a scrape where a scab would form from rough play.

To be honest a lot of the medical terms and explanations are all garble to me but the vet (that I think I trust) said it's malignant, will not go away on its own and needs to be removed.

He said we don't have to do it immediately but in the next week or so. He also said that its very possible that once removed it would not spread or come back and he may never have an issue again.

Regarding trusting the vet...my dogs have never been sick with anything other than a skin rash or something like that so this is the first time I am dealing with something serious.

My instincts tell me in the long run he will be fine but the idea that he could have a life threatening medical issue or even not have a full happy active life is freaking me out.

Jeter and I are very close and this whole thing scares the crap out of me. Thanks to all for all the great advice.

I just read about Mast Cell Tumors...(thanks for the info Connie) and I am rushing to make the appointment to have it removed and biopsied right away!!!

Jeter is Boxer/Pit mix so he has the predisposition for these. I learned more reading what Connie sent than from talking to my Vet.

I guess my BIG question is...will the biopsy tell me if (once removed) he is likely to get more of them?

Am I going to be constantly looking and worried that more tumors will come?

Caught early, surgery is curative, problem fixed --usually.
Your noticing this lesion early is great--your vet did a needle aspirate for a timely diagnosis, that's good work.
Have them send the surgery specimen in to the pathologist if you can afford it. Why? Because the pathologist can tell by looking at the specimen if it's likely to come back or be in other places already.

Thanks Betty...is that the same thing as having it biopsied? I am completely in the dark about this but learning fast thanks to all my Leerburg friends..

How big is this mass? I'm thinking that the surgeon will remove the whole thing, and send it all in. A "biopsy" usually means "we took a little piece of it".

"Have them send the surgery specimen in to the pathologist if you can afford it. Why? Because the pathologist can tell by looking at the specimen if it's likely to come back or be in other places already."

Also, if I understand correctly, the pathologist can confirm that the margins are as good as the surgeon thought -- that is, that no little paths of the bad part went beyond the excision line. Like this:

 Quote: kelly byrd

You'd be able to say you have 'clear surgical margins' if you were able to get all the yucky tissue, and some specific portion (I don't know exactly what the amount is, but I believe it's in relation to the size of the mass) of clear tissue removed.

In Pug rescue we see many MSTs. We have learned that in Boxers and Pugs, the appearance of one is a prod to search for multiples. This is because in about 5-10% of MST cases in Boxers and Pugs, there are multiples, and of course, the faster you find out the better.

eta
And I have known only of the entire excised mass going to the pathologist -- not a piece of it. As Betty says.


eta #2
My Pugs get a close visual and "feely" exam regularly when I do the other stuff like look in the ears, sniff in the mouth, etc. Every skin tag or mole or lump is pointed out to the vet next visit. If it looks to me, a layperson, like an unusual (in any way) tag or mole, and any lump, then the visit is immediate.

We have learned over the years how constant vigilance pays off in the vulnerable breeds, like Boxers and Pugs.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (01/21/2011 03:07 PM)
Edit reason: ETAs