histiocytoma or mast cell tumor????

[rottnvegas]

My Rott had a large bump on his chest I just noticed this morning.

I took him right to the vet and the vet said it is a tumor and needs to be removed.

He did surgery today and said he cut a lot of flesh out to make sure he got it all. But , he doesn't know what the tumor is yet, either histocytoma or a mast cell tumor.

My question is what is the worst case scenario in this case? If it is the mast cell, what should I expect, the vet doesn't give much indication one way or the other at this point. (until the results of the inspection of the tumor come back from the lab)

Thank you.

[Brooke&Ryan]

http://www.cah.com/library/mstcll.html

http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/mastcell.htm

http://www.kateconnick.com/library/mastcelltumor.html

http://www.bobmckee.com/Client%20Inf...%20Tumors.html

I just searched google & this is what I found.

Basically from all that I've read it says....

The natural behavior of mast cells suggests prognosis of this tumor depends on the species, breed, histologic grade, humor location, clinical stage and growth rate.

So when the vet does the biopsy on the tumor he/she should be able to tell you.

I'm still thinking good thoughts for Hans!

:)
Brooke

[mmgy]

The third site, belonging to Kate Connick, is mostly about her breed, boxers. Mast cell is common in boxers, and I know of two that have it. It isn't aggressive in either of them, though I think it can be. I wouldn't worry much about it till I heard back from the biopsy....trust me, I know that's easier said than done!

Was it ulcerated when you found it? I'm thinking that histiocytomas are often sort of raw and oozy. They're called "button tumors" or something like that.

Be patient!!! And be calm for your Hans so that he can heal well.

[rottnvegas]

BrookandRyan, thanks for the links, I really appreciate it.


mmgy wrote: " Was it ulcerated when you found it? I'm thinking that histiocytomas are often sort of raw and oozy. They're called "button tumors" or something like that."


Yes, it was bleeding from many little holes. It was scabbed over but the scabs practically came off themselves when I touched it.

Underneath was just raw and bloody about the size of a silver dollar.

[Nina&Bill]

Wait for the biopsy results.

Smidgen had a mast cell tumor removed from her chest when she was 3 (it went from a small bump to a large growth practically overnight) and had no signs of recurrence for the rest of her life. As long as the vet got all of it (and it sounds like yours made every effort to do so) everything should be fine.

Fingers crossed & good luck!

Nina

[clastala]

My Rottie, Roxie, had a hysteocytoma on one of her paws. It was raw and bled. The vet gave me some prednisone to shrink it and it worked. If it did not shrink he would have removed it. She then, a few months later, got a couple on her chin and those receded on their own. I don't think I would have waited if it was on her chest. I think removing it is a good thing. The vet said it is good to check to make sure it is a hysteocytoma. Good Luck!