Lumps and Bumps

Tumors—in pets as in people, result from uncontrolled growths of cells. Cells usually start as normal tissue but for various reasons change, so that their replication does not stop when it should, leading to tumors—abnormal masses both on the skin, or within the body.

Tumors are not all cancerous. Many tumors are

Treating Tumors in Pets
Text Box: My pet has a lump! If you notice a new lump on your pet, it is best to have them checked by a veterinarian. Some tumors can be diagnosed on their appearance, but for many a fine needle aspirate is required for diagnosis. A needle is placed into the mass, with a very small amount of the mass drawn into a syringe, and ejected onto a slide for examination under a microscope. Often cytology can be done at the practice, or can be sent for a pathologists opinion.

benign. That is, they grow in abnormal places, or to an abnormal size—but do not invade tissues, and do not spread around the body.

Locally invasive tumors grown into surrounding tissue, destroying normal tissue in the process. Metastatic tumors spread around the body, usually through the blood stream or lymphatic tissues. They often spread to other organs including the lungs or liver, causing these to fail.