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Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs
Excerpt : Mast cell tumors are common on or just under the skin of dogs. Any breed of dog can develop a mast cell tumor (MCT), but certain breeds are predisposed, including Boxers, bulldogs, pugs, Boston
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Knowing that we are dealing with an MCT before surgery can be helpful, because MCTs are notorious for sending out long, finger-like projections of cells into the surrounding tissue. This means we must surgically remove a wider margin of "normal" tissue surrounding any visible tumor in an attempt to remove all the microscopic "fingers." Grade I or well-differentiated MCTs are the least aggressive of the three classes. If we are able to surgically excise the entire tumor (the pathologist will comment that the margins of tissue removed are "clean" or free of cancer cells), the incidence of recurrence is typically small, with 93 per cent of dogs being disease free at 1 year. "Metastasis" or spread of this form of MCT to distant, internal locations is unusual. Grade II or intermediately differentiated MCTs are more aggressive than their grade I counterparts. An as yet unidentified percentage of dogs with this form of MCT develop metastasis of their cancer to intemal organs, typically to the bone marrow, spleen, or local lymph node. 
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Mast cell tumors in the groin behave similarly to grade III MCTs, regardless of their histologic grade. It is not currently understood, but a high potential for metastasis has been consistently observed. Some oncologists believe that MCTs in the armpits and mucocutaneous junctions (e.g., lip margins, vulva, anus) can be quite malignant as well. Once a dog is diagnosed with a MCT, several diagnostic tests are recommended. First, a complete blood count, bio-chemical profile, and urinalysis are performed to ensure that your dog exhibits no negative effects of the cancer in his or her system. Sometimes, a 
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The next step is to grade the cancer if this has not yet been done. Again, this can be done only by surgically removing all or part of the tumor. Once the tumor grade is known, a decision regarding further testing and treatment can be made. If the local lymph node is enlarged, it will be aspirated to look for cancer cells. If the MCT has been graded as intermediate or poorly differentiated (grade II or III), aspiration of the bone marrow and the spleen is advised. This is the most sensitive technique for determining whether the cancer has metastasized. Unfortunately, dogs with mast cell cancer in the bone marrow or the spleen have a very poor prognosis; many dogs live only 90 days from the time of diagnosis because of the effects of the cancer cells on the body. Sometimes, even in dogs with advanced disease, treatment can improve both the quality and quantity of life. Your veterinarian may 
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Treatment for dogs with MCTs is dependent on the grade of tumor and results of testing. Dogs with grade I tumors that have been completely excised (removed) are not typically treated with any additional therapy. The "gold standard" of treatment for dogs with grade II MCTs, because of their moderate incidence of local recurrence even with complete surgical excision, is radiation therapy. We also recommend using radiation therapy to treat grade I and II tumors that cannot be completely excised, provided there is no evidence of metastasis. Eighty-eight per cent of dogs with incompletely excised grade II tumors survive for 5 years without disease when treated with radiation therapy. For dogs with grade III MCTs, dogs with MCTs in the groin, or dogs that have been diagnosed with systemic spread of their mast cell cancer, drug therapy is often recommended. These drugs include diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cimetidine (Tagamet) to counteract the effects of histamine on the body and prednisone and other chemotherapy drugs to 
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Our goal for all cancer patients is that their quality of life be excellent; we never want the treatment to be worse than the disease. This goal is often achieved by working as a close team with your veterinarian and often a board-certified cancer specialist. The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin any course of treatment without consulting your regular veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every 12 months. About the author: From the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Information: Client Information Series. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company. All rights reserved. Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital and its cat-only affiliate, Coastal Cat Clinic, are small animal practices located in Pacifica, California. To find a veterinarian or to learn more about the vet clinic and our staff, visit:[http://lindamarvet.com/]
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