My love has a lump, what do I do?

[My Lucy]

I stayed up all night last night crying worried over worry for my 8 year old fawn, Lucy. In January I noticed a small, moveable, not hard lump on her left shoulder. We took her into the vet and he said he couldn't feel anything and that if there were something wrong we would know it. However now this lump has grown in size to that of about a marble. It does not cause her any pain or discomfort even when I touch it or push on it. I know that Boxers are prone to cancer and I am so scared. I made an appointment with the vet for this Saturday but I don't know if I know the right questions to ask. To any of you who have gone through this before, will you help to make sure I don't forget or pass over something important?

 

[Cami]

So sorry to hear that your girl has a lump!
**I only have experience with mast cell cancer. Hopefully others will be able to chime in.

Couple of things.....

You gave a big clue when you said it was there in January but your vet couldn't find it.
Mast cell tumors seems to come and go on any given day. In a lot of instances you can see them, even feel them on certain days....maybe weeks in a row and then one day they just appear to be gone only to return again at a later time.

On the flip side fluid filled cysts can seem to come and go (the contents disperse into the body making them appear to be gone only to fill up again and return).

I highly disagree with your vet saying that if something were wrong you would know it. Just not true at all with so many illnesses. My girl Cami spent well over 4 years fighting mast cell tumors. She had 16 + over her lifetime. The cancer did NOT make her ill. She had symptoms of allergies which are common for that type of cancer but she also had allergies. They usually go hand in hand and unless you are hyper vigilant you might not notice the difference. I could always tell when another tumor was about to present by her upset tummy, runny nose and itching. It would be much more pronounced with the histamine produced by the soon coming tumor than it ever was from her allergies.

Of course your vet will look at the lump and ask about any symptoms she might be displaying. Mast cell tumors mimic so many things that looking at them is never the best way to diagnose one.

At minimum you will want to have a needle aspirate done. They may shave the area to get a better look and then they take a very small needle and stick it into the tumor (sometimes they might numb the area first). If they don't and you think it might be too uncomfortable then just ask for it. You know your dog best. They can inject something like lidacaine/novacaine or even use a topical spray.

Once the needle goes in they seem to almost wiggle it a bit while inside or even remove it and put it back in a couple of times. They do this in order to try and take a sampling of the tumor. They will put the contents on a slide and then use a chemical to stain it. They let it sit for a bit and then look at it under a microscope.

They will be looking for mast cells (among other things). Mast cells are found normally in the blood and tissue. If they find a lot of them in the contents they can assume it is a mast cell tumor BUT it isn't 100% proof positive since mast cells tend to gather where there is inflammation. They might refer to what they find as "granules" or whatever but what they would be referring to is just abnormal cells.

They can send out that sample they took to a pathologist for further review if they suspect something amiss. They can also do a punch biopsy where they take a greater sample of the growth and send it out. That would be what gives you the best diagnosis. It will tell you what the lump is. If it is cancer it will give you a grade (how far advanced it is). They will also offer up a plan of action.

*Most* vets will suggest that you have the lump removed via surgery ASAP. *Most* pet owners will go that route.

Surgery is NOT the only option if you are dealing with a mast cell tumor. If you do find that you are then you should consider a consult with an oncologist. Having been down the cancer road a TON I wish someone had told me that bit of advice sooner. Like on tumor #2! Instead I put my girl through numerous surgeries until a vet tech pulled me aside and said GET HER TO AN ONCOLOGIST and stop having her cut on.

Think back to even 6 months or so prior to the lumps original appearance. Anything that might have seemed odd or different that you didn't put too much stock in since it stopped happening. Any nausea, vomiting, refusal to eat (intermittent or long term doesn't matter). Diarrhea or loose stools. Runny nose/eyes. Scratching (anywhere, not just at the lump site). Any infections like yeast or staph? Any pimple like pustules on areas that are less covered with hair (belly or vaginal area for example)?
Any sneezing?

Try not to over think things and worry about something you don't know you need to be worried about. Save your energy until you know if you have a battle to fight or not. The fact that your girl is 8 years old and hasn't had cancer yet is a wonderful thing! My girl was 2 when she got her first cancerous tumor. Cancer isn't always a death sentence. If my girls heart issues had not been so bad I believe with all my heart and soul that she would still be here today....just past her 8th birthday continuing to fight cancer!!

Here is hoping that this is just some benign growth that will self resolve on its own. Sending you lots of positive energy for Saturday's appointment. Keep us updated.

 

[Gatorblu]

Ok, first step is to breathe! Yes, lumps are always a concern on boxers, but not every lump, abd bump is something serious. I have had several cysts taken off my dogs, but only one mct, (mass cell tumor). Try not to out too much energy into "what if's". That is just wasted energy.

Next step is just what you are doing educating yourself and gathering info. Your vet may want to do a needle aspiration. This is sticking a needle into the bump and pulling some cells out to look at. This is a good first step, tho' not always totally accurate. Since your lump is marble size they should be able to get a sample. If they find a cyst they may just drain it then and there and give you some antibiotics.

If your vet recommends surgery to remove the lump, make sure it is sent out for a pathology. Also with surgery many vets use Acepromazine or ACE as a pre-surgery sedative. Tell your vet this is not to be given to your dog under any circumstances! (There is sticky thread at the top of this forum http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/do...nfo-before-your-dog-has-surgery-sedative.html That you should read.) Some vets will argue that it is safe, but this dog is your and your BF's responibility and you are the ones paying the vet, so stand your ground if need be. I have only had to do this with one vet, all the others have always follwed my wishes or just didn't use ACE anyway.

Also if they do surgery, the incision will be bigger that you think. They take extra tissue from around the lump to make sure they get everything. So be prepared and try not to freak out. No one warned me and it took a lot for me to keep my composure when they brought my boy out to me. Then comes the hard part the waiting for the results. Your next step from there depends on the results.

I hope it is nothing but a cyst. Like I have said, my dog's have lots more cysts than anthing else. Let us know how your appointment goes! Sending positive haelthy ((Vibes)) to Lucy!

 

[My Lucy]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

Cami, Your post was so informative. I even took notes I will write an update after the appointment. With all this information I feel so much more prepared for, and less frightened of whatever this may be. I don't know what I will do if it happens to be a mct, but it's nice to know that there are options other than tons of painful, dangerous and expensive surgeries.

Gatorblu, thank you so much for the advice. It's comforting to hear this from someone who has gone through this before. I am not sure how much I trust this vet based on his previous advice, so even more so, I will make sure to get a "second opinion" before any action is taken. Your comment was so helpful, thank you.

 

[allisterlq]

I had a lump on my 12 week old in the last couple days, it was her shots that caused a lymph gland to swell up. If Lucy had shots recently it could be that...Just throwing that out there but since she is 8 years I doubt thats the issue. Hope shes ok.

 

[My Lucy]

Update

Hello friends,

We just found out that it is just a benign fatty little tumor that may continue growing. He stuck a needle in it and checked the slide and it was clear! We are so relieved and thanks to you guys I knew exactly what to ask for and what to expect. Lucy is doing great!

Love,
Storie

 

[Gatorblu]

Glad to hear the good news! Thor has had those as well.

 

[Cami]

Couldn't ask for a better update!
Thanks for letting us know.

 

[RMC Mom]

I just read all the updates on this and am so glad to hear that its not anything major. My girl actually has the same kind of thing on her back. It stopped growing but it is definitely there. I was concerned when it first showed up as well. It's a nice feeling to have somewhere to go to vent your concerns about your dogs with other people that love their dogs just as much!
Good luck and I am happy for your great news!!

RMC MOM