Mast cell tumors are a form in cancer in dogs. According to veterinarian Holly Nash, cell tumors account for 20 percent of skin tumors in dogs and have serious health implications. The tumors typically occur in dogs that are middle-aged and older and are more common in some breeds--boxers, Boston terriers, retriever breeds and shar-peis.
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Identify a Cell Tumor
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Cell tumors are typically visible on a dog's skin and can appear anywhere on the body. They can be different sizes, shapes and colors but look different from surrounding skin tissue. Dogs can have one tumor or more but according to research at the University of Georgia, only 10 percent of dogs showed multiple tumors. A veterinarian must perform a biopsy to confirm the presence of a cell tumor.
Other Symptoms
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Cell tumors can also cause other ailments in dogs. Common symptoms include vomiting, bleeding from the tumor, slowness in healing from injury and in extreme cases, shock. Cell tumors in later stages can also lead to systemic disease and the spread of cancer to a dog's lymph nodes, liver, bone marrow and spleen.
Tumor Stages
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Cell tumors are graded based on how advanced the growth is. Higher grades are more serious than low grades. Most tumors are Grade I tumors and are non-cancerous. They may or may not be removed. Grade II tumors extend below the skin and can be cancerous. Grade III tumors are cancerous and very aggressive.
Treatment
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Treatment depends on the stage of the tumor in each dog. Most veterinarians opt to surgically remove tumors, according to Nash. Radiation and chemotherapy are also used to fight cell tumors. The chances that a dog fully recovers depends on the grade of the tumor; prognosis is very good for dogs with Grade I tumors.
Clinical Names for Cell Tumors
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Veterinarians may use more clinical terms when talking about cell tumors in dogs. They may be called histiocytic mastocytoma, mast cell sarcoma or mastocystosis.
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