Mast cell tumor

[skroll5]

My 10 year old dog has a mast cell tumor,and he is going in for a biopsy
this weekend-what I was wondering was given the nature of these things,is there a chance that just the biopsy could actually make the tumor worse?(make it spread more/faster?)
I know...should have asked my vet,but ...I was kinda numb at the time...

[Novel]

My little Boxer just had a "Mast Cell Tumor" removed. At that time my vet said that it is not a good idea to do a biospy, just remove it. A biopsy can irritate the cells and they can release large amounts of chemicals into the body, which can sometimes cause severe problems, even death.

The excision which will remove it will give your dog some stitches, which is what I chose to do. The tissue can then be sent off for testing. No worry that anything is being released, and you know that its been removed. If it comes back benign, as my Laneys did, you can still rest easy that you did everything you could. If it comes back cancerous, you know that it's already been removed, and you can proceed from there.

[skroll5]

Thank you for your reply!!
Here`s the thing....Mojo has his tumor in a bad spot on his leg....removal is not a "realistic" option,unless the whole leg is amputated!......This guy is SO active,so full of life,so COOL...plus,he is 10 years old....I dont want to go that route.....I also have read that even after removal,and tons of drugs,etc,the chances of the tumor coming back in the same area is 50%....can that be right???
I don`t like those odds!

[LuvMyPups]

My Libby had a Mast Cell Tumor on her paw that she had removed. If he has a Mast Cell you need to get him a full body scan to make sure he doesn't have an internally. Libby apparently did and 3 weeks after having the one on her paw removed she past suddenly because the internal one ruptured. I didn't know to get her a full body scan after finding the one on her paw until it was too late. I hope you can get this and Mojo is fine!!

[Novel]

Originally Posted by skroll5

I also have read that even after removal,and tons of drugs,etc,the chances of the tumor coming back in the same area is 50%....can that be right???
I don`t like those odds!

Yes, those are the same estimates I have read. It is unfortunate.

What breed of dog is Mojo again. That actually makes a difference. Boxers are known to get many MCTs yet they are rarely cancerous, where other breeds who may not get them as often have a higher liklihood of them being cancerous.

Have you contacted a holistic vet? Sometimes they can provide you with other options that do not include surgery.

[doberkim]

yes, mast cell tumors should NOT be biopsied unles the animal is treated before hand for any anyphylaxis - it is recommended to give both dex i believe as well as diphenhydramine (benadryl), but some vets have different prefences - the mast cells stimulate a histamine response when they degranulate and its a severe allergic reaction.

mast cells can have different prognoses depending on a bunch of things
1) how big they are
2) how aggressive they are (how infiltrative)
3) if they have metastasized.

if your animal has a mast cell, you can have the area resected and the mass examined by a pathologist - its harder on the legs, but its not impossible.

in addition, your pet can have an abdominal ultrasound, bloodwork, chest radiographs, and lymph node aspirates to determine if there has been metastasis. you can then consider chemotherapy and even potentially radiation therapy for the mast cell.

sometimes mast cells are very low grade and require nothing but surgical excision. others require further treatment - their prognosis depends on each animal and what the grade and stage of the tumor/pet is.

[skroll5]

Mojo is a pure-breed MUTT!! lol...some terrier mix....he has been on benadryl
all week,my vet told me that having the biopsy is no risk.....

[Novel]

There is a very well documented risk of haaving a biopsy done of a Mast Cell Tumor. Either your vet is uninformed, or he feels it is the lowest risk procedure... I'm not sure, not being there and having never met the person.

I found this site to be very helpful when I wanted an overview of MCTs.
http://www.kateconnick.com/library/mastcelltumor.html

[skroll5]

Well,he is supposed to go in tommow...ive talked to 3 of the vets,and they all vote biopsy....I still dont know....

[skroll5]

I will get the test results Wednesday.......I`m praying for good news about my pal,Mojo....!

[Novel]

I'll be thinking about you and Mojo. My prayers are with the both of you! Let us know once you know!

[skroll5]

Thank you...!!!
This waiting and wondering,and hoping is killing me already,and its only Monday!
....But,my vet had given the task of doing the biopsy to one of the other vets working for him,but he ended up doing it himself-(the other vet told me...I thought that was cool,since he was very busy with other things...)

[LuvMyPups]

Praying for good results!

If it is cancerous please think about getting the full body scan!

[skroll5]

Been a little while since I updated...Mojo has a "stage 2" mast cell tumor...sigh..given it`s location,it really is not operable,without removing his whole leg!
Right now,he is on oral steriods,and also steroid injections,hopefully to shrink the tumor down,so that it may be safely removed...
Mojo has been a trooper-and he hasn`t lost one bit of his feisty,talkative nature..a ten year old dog that still romps the way he does is amazing!
Anyway,Mojo is resting comfortably,watching T.V,(between chasing birds,and such)...We will take this one step at a time,and pray he will have a long,happy,QUALITY life!!

[Novel]

Well, I'll pray that the tumor shrinks and it can be safely removed. If not, have you thought about removing the leg? I know quite a few three legged dogs that don't know they're missing a leg!