Mast cell tumour

[ThePowerOfTheDog]

My dog has got a mast cell tumour which we suspect may be quite advanced. If chemo is required does it respond well to it?

My dog has recently been treated for a mastcell tumour which at first we were really devastated when we found out. However he was operated on and it was found to be a grade 2 tumour. They did another test and found it to be lower grade 2 which they said was unlikely to have spread so he didn't need further treatment. He is a golden retriever and today 4 months on his fur has just about completely covered the scar. I hope your dog has a similar outcome but I know chemo can be very effective.

In our case, despite an early suggestion that the cancer was advanced, surgery with large margins was enough - that was 5 years ago.
Apologies, have no experience of canine chemo, but bear in mind it’s for the dogs comfort, not necessarily a cure.
Hope it goes well.

Have you been offered immunohistocytochemistry? This additional lab test is really good at identifying which are the aggressive mast cell tumours and which are not. There are a couple of mast cell specific chemo therapies that are very successful at treatment.

@Lonecatwithkitten

Have you been offered immunohistocytochemistry? This additional lab test is really good at identifying which are the aggressive mast cell tumours and which are not. There are a couple of mast cell specific chemo therapies that are very successful at treatment.

No not yet but we have only just found out. I will ask at her next appointment. Thanks for this.

@Trulyweird1

In our case, despite an early suggestion that the cancer was advanced, surgery with large margins was enough - that was 5 years ago. Apologies, have no experience of canine chemo, but bear in mind it’s for the dogs comfort, not necessarily a cure. Hope it goes well.

Thank you for this. I'm worried because of where it is (on her vulva) it might make it hard to get clear margins without making other problems.

One of the drugs is specifically for sites where it is hard to get good margins. I should warn you the drugs are pretty expensive.