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Mast Cell Tumors in DogsMast cell tumors in dogs is a common kind of skin cancer. About 20 percent of all cases of skin cancer in dogs are in the form of canine
mast cell tumors.
You probably know that mast cells are important cells forming part of the immune system. They can be found in all body tissues and protect the body from
invading organisms such as parasites.
When the body is faced with an infection, the immune system triggers the mast cells to release chemicals from storage granules located inside the mast cells.
Some chemicals released by mast cells include heparin (which prevents blood clots in vessels); others are histamine, serotonin, and proteolytic enzymes (enzymes
for the breakdown of proteins). These chemicals are toxic to the invading parasites.
Mast cells are bound within tissues that interface with the external world such as the skin, respiratory or intestinal tract, and do not circulate through the body.
A mast cell tumor is formed by a large number of, well, mast cells.
As you can imagine, with so many mast cells in a mast cell tumor, and with so many chemicals contained in the mast cells, a lot of problems can arise when these
mast cells are damaged and become cancerous. The cells of mast cell tumors in dogs become very unstable, and they may release disproportionally high levels of
chemicals such as histamine and heparin into the body without being triggered by the immune system, causing the dog to show allergic symptoms, and wreaking havoc
on the dog's body systems and functions, such as the heart rate and blood pressure.
Most mast cell tumors in dogs occur in the skin, but they can also occur elsewhere in the body. Like other cancers, mast cell tumors can occur
at sites of previous inflammation. Canine mast cell tumors are very invasive and difficult to treat.
About half of all mast cell tumors are malignant, and up to 50 percent recur after surgical removal. Mast cell tumors that appear in the armpit area, mammary tissue, groin,
anus or genital areas, in the lips, eyelids, or body openings are likely to be malignant.
The appearance of canine mast cell tumors are rather uncharacteristic and can mimic other benign skin lesions such as
lipomas (fatty tumors). Because of their ability to
mimic benign skin tumors, these dangerous mast cell tumors often are not diagnosed until later in the disease, resulting in a worse prognosis for the dog patient.
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Signs of Mast Cell Tumors in DogsAs mentioned above, canine mast cell tumors are usually found in the skin, but they can also be commonly found on the trunk, limbs, and genital area. The tumor can take on various forms and appearance - it can be smooth and intact, or it can be ulcerated. It can occur as a single lump, or the tumor can arise as multiples. Dogs with canine mast cell tumors show the following clinical signs:
Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs - Causes and Risk FactorsThe exact cause of mast cell tumors is not exactly clear. It is possible that there are a variety of different causes for the development of this tumor, such as hereditary and environmental factors. There is no known sex predisposition to developing mast cell tumors in dogs. While mast cell tumors can develop in all ages, most of them develop in older dogs (those around 8-9 years old). It seems that brachiocephalic breeds (those having a short, pushed-in snort), such as boxers, bulldogs, and pugs, are at greater risk than other breeds.Diagnosis of Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs
Diagnosis is made with a needle aspirate, a process in which the veterinarian uses a needle to collect some tumor cells to be examined under the microscope.
When canine mast cell tumors are diagnosed, a tissue biopsy will be carried out in order to grade and stage the tumor. These procedures help determine
the prognosis, as well as the type of treatment to be given to the dog patient.
Mast cell tumors are categorized into three grades (Grade I, II, III), depending on how malignant they are, with Grade III being the most serious and malignant.
In addition to grading, the tumor has to be "staged" to determine the extent to which the tumor has spread. Using the stage and the grade, a most appropriate treatment plan
can be formed.
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Treatment for Mast Cell Tumors in DogsDepending on the grade and stage of a mast cell tumor, common treatment includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Surgery For small mast cell tumors in dogs, surgery is effective if the disease is diagnosed early and the tumor is a Grade I mast cell tumor. If performed correctly and the margins are clean, a cure is usually expected. If cancer cells are still being found in the surgical margins, a second surgery, or radiation therapy, or both will be necessary to kill off the remaining cancer cells. Radiation Radiation is recommended for a dog patient with a tumor in a location that does not allow aggressive surgical removal. Mast cell tumors located on an extremity seem to respond better to radiation than do tumors located on the trunk. Sometimes post-surgical radiation is required to lower the risk of reoccurrence so that the dog patient can enjoy a better quality of life for a longer period of time. Chemotherapy In addition to surgery for malignant canine mast cell tumors, or if the tumors have metastasized, local injections of drugs (such as vinblastine, prednisolone, chlorambucil) can be used. Unfortunately, generally speaking, chemo drugs are not so effective against mast cell tumors.Natural Remedies for Mast Cell TumorsConsider using natural remedies as complementary treatment options to help your dog if he has been diagnosed with cancer. Natural herbs, cancer diets, and natural supplements may help strengthen your dog's immune system, making the body stronger to fight against diseases such as cancer. In some cases, some such remedies may slow down the growth and metastasis of the cancer. Visit our pages on Herbs for Cancer in Dogs and
Dog Cancer Diet for more information on these two complementary treatment options.
Please also use the navigation bar on the left of this page to find other useful K9 cancer information on this site.
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