LUMPS AND BUMPS

Sometime over the life of your pet, you will discover a strange lump or bump that wasn’t there before. Some lumps are more concerning than others, but any growth should be brought to your veterinarian’s attention. Below are some guidelines, and different types of tumors to watch out for. This handout should not be a substitute for your vet’s expertise.

DEFINITIONS:

Tumor: Literally means a swelling. Any lump or bump that you find can be referred to as a tumor.

Benign: This means that the biological behavior of the tumor is not aggressive. These tumors generally cause little damage and don’t spread to other sites.

Malignant: Opposite of Benign. These tumors are aggressive; either locally, which means they invade and damage the tissue from which they originate, or they may metastasize to other sites, such as lymph nodes or lungs.

1. A lump or growth that is on your pets mammary chain. Both dogs and cats get mammary tumors (which may be benign or malignant) and also lipomas (fatty tumors) in this area; lipomas are soft and movable, where more concerning tumors are firm and irregular. The probability that a mammary lump is malignant is greatly increased if your animal is not spayed. Have any mammary lump looked at by your veterinarian.

2. A lump that is large and firm, or any paired symmetrical, firm lumps. Lymph nodes live all over the body, both inside and outside. They are usually paired, in that they are on both sides of the neck, deep in the groin on both sides, deep in the armpits on both sides, etc. Lymph nodes can be enlarged from a primary cancer, or can be large because cells from another tumor have spread there. Any firm lump should be checked by your veterinarian.

3. A reddened or ulcerated lump. Some lumps are very tricky. They may look red and swollen one day, and then change seemingly overnight. But then in a day or two, may look red and swollen again. Any lump that changes over time might be trying to hide something from you, therefore, it’s important to have your veterinarian investigate.

4. Any lump that bothers you or your pet. If your pet is scratching at a new growth, or if a growth is on the lip, eyelid or foot, and impinges your pets daily comfort, you need to have it checked by your veterinarian. Even a "benign" lump can have detrimental effects to your pet.

5. Any lump in the oral cavity.

6. Any bump near a vaccination site. (especially in a cat). Right after you animal is vaccinated, they will have a little lump where the vaccine was injected, but if it persists for a couple weeks, or goes away then comes back (after months or even years), have it checked right away.

7. Any lump that grew rapidly, or changed in appearance.

There are many ways to find out what that new lump really is. Sometimes, vets can get an idea by how the lump feels, and where it is located, but only a pathologist who looks at the cells of the tumor can tell us for certain. There are many ways to get cells from a tumor.

1. Fine Needle Aspirate: Some tumors "exfoliate" well. This means that the cells can come off singularly or in groups quite easily. Even a little suction from a needle can pull them away. The procedure is simple, quick, most animals don’t even notice. Sometimes we won’t get a definitive answer from this procedure, but due to the ease and quickness, it can be a reasonable first step.

2. Incisional Biopsy: Sometimes we need to get a piece of tissue to send off for diagnosis. Your vet may sense this after feeling the lump, or this may be the second step if a fine needle aspirate didn’t yield a diagnosis.

3. Excisional Biopsy or Surgical removal: Sometimes we may recommend removing the whole lump to be sent off. This is a good step if the lump is bothering your pet , or if changes in appearance or grows rapidly. Sometimes your vet detects warning signals that the lump should be removed as soon as possible, for both a diagnosis and as a form of treatment.

Hickory Veterinary Hospital © 2005