Another Lump

[TillynPip]

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In April Mydannyboy started the topic re a lump found on her dog. I had recently found one on Tilly and, unfortunately, it turned out to be malignant. Now, less than 6 weeks later, I have found another lump, just below the nipple line, which is identical in appearance to the last one. As before, it is small and looks completely inoccuous but this time our vet has agreed that it should be dealt with fairly quickly. Tilly is having it removed a week on Tuesday and the vet assures me this is unlucky rather than anything more sinister going on as the last one was only a Grade 1 Mass Cell tumour.

I am so sad that she is facing yet more surgery and hope the vet is correct when she says the two lumps are not linked ie that it is not spreading and that Grade 1's are treated as stand alone events. If anyone has any thoughts or input, all would be gratefully received.

 

[eve]

Hi Angela

So sorry to hear that you and Tilly are having to go through all this again.

Thinking of you :luck:

 

[jok]

Hi Angela,

Sorry to hear about Tilly, must be very worrying. Im not quite sure what you are describing from your post - is it a mammary tumour that Tilly has (sorry i didn't understand your description) and also i didn't know where her first one was.

We had a bitch go through mammary cancer and several op's - before i typed out lots i was wondering whether or not this is what Tilly had??

 

[boothros]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear this, I've been meaning to ask how Tilly was getting on as I know you were concerned that the last lump had been fully removed as it had not been diagnosed at the time. I too would be shattered to find another one, but if the vet says that it is simply bad luck rather than being related to the other one, then I guess he knows better than anyone. At least this time the vets know what they are dealing with and can be sure to remove the appropriate amount of tissue. How did Tilly get on with the last lump removal? Does it seem to have all gone and were there any further tests the vet could do on the area to make sure that it had all gone?

No Jok, this isnt a mammary cancer but a skin cancer which starts off resembling a wart so its just coincidental that this one is near the nipple. The surgical removal has to be quite aggressive in order to make sure that all of it is got out but the last time Tilly had one removed the diagnosis hadnt been made so Angela was concerned that they had taken enough away.

I do wish you the very best of luck, poor Tilly having to go back for another op, when I bet she feels fine in herself. Thinking of you a week on Tuesday and please give Tilly lots off gentle hugs from us all.

 

[Lisa S]

good luck :luck: :luck:

 

[mydannyboy]

I don't know what to say other than to offer support and well wishes. It sounds like the vet is confident and that removal is best. I'm sure Tilly will be fine and will make the most of the extra tlc.

Please let us know - will be thinking of you both

Anne x

 

[Whippets Rule]

I think possibly you mean the first lump was a grade 1 Mast Cell tumour and if so, yes they often are stand alone events....although mast cell tumours can be very agressive it does not necessarily mean they will spread.

I would agree with your vet and be reassured that the lump is likely to be unrelated to the initial mast cell tumour and is probably something else entirely.

Very best of luck and hope she makes a speedy recovery

 

[TillynPip]

Thanks for the comments and well wishes. Re your post Jo, the first lump was in the armpit of Tilly's left front leg, this one is just under the nipple line on her right side. Perhaps describing it as a lump is a bit mis-leading although this is what the vet calls it. It is a raised 'lump'/'wart' type piece of skin but with no 'lump' under the skin, at the moment smaller than my little finger nail, that looks slightly blotchy but feels no different to her ordinary skin. I can easily see why someone non-medical might just ignore it or on a hairier dog would not even find it, especially as some of them don't even grow particularly quickly. The first tumour presented in exactly the same form and grew rapidly and, even if it had been benign, it would have had to have been removed as eventually it would have impeded leg movement. The vet was fairly sure that histology would show it as benign but it came back as malignant, albeit a Grade 1 ie as long as a good margin of tissue around the affected area is clear, no further treatment required. The majority of dogs will have no further problems in that Grades 1's do not spread, although some dogs have a pre-disposition to developing them.

Sorry, rambled at bit but will let you know how Tils gets on.

 

[mydannyboy]

Thanks for the comments and well wishes. Re your post Jo, the first lump was in the armpit of Tilly's left front leg, this one is just under the nipple line on her right side. Perhaps describing it as a lump is a bit mis-leading although this is what the vet calls it. It is a raised 'lump'/'wart' type piece of skin but with no 'lump' under the skin, at the moment smaller than my little finger nail, that looks slightly blotchy but feels no different to her ordinary skin. I can easily see why someone non-medical might just ignore it or on a hairier dog would not even find it, especially as some of them don't even grow particularly quickly. The first tumour presented in exactly the same form and grew rapidly and, even if it had been benign, it would have had to have been removed as eventually it would have impeded leg movement. The vet was fairly sure that histology would show it as benign but it came back as malignant, albeit a Grade 1 ie as long as a good margin of tissue around the affected area is clear, no further treatment required. The majority of dogs will have no further problems in that Grades 1's do not spread, although some dogs have a pre-disposition to developing them.
Sorry, rambled at bit but will let you know how Tils gets on.

Hi - was the procedure today? If so - how did it go?

Anne x

 

[whippetsrus]

Fingers crossed.

 

[TillynPip]

Tilly had the lump removed yesterday and came home leaping around, ready for food and a walk - it is so lucky that she tolerates anaesthesia so well . She's confined to a crate and on 10 minute lead walks for 10 days until the stitches come out, which is by far the worst part for her. Now we just wait for histology and keep fingers crossed that this time, it's benign. Will keep you posted and thanks for thinking of her. )

 

[eve]

Glad to hear that Tilly is home and the op is safely over. Fingers crossed for the results :luck:

 

[Sarah86]

So glad to hear that Tillys operation went well. I hope all goes well with the results :huggles:

 

[boothros]

Good luck Tilly :luck: :luck: :luck: xxx

 

[Dotty&Duke]

Aww you poor things good luck with the results fingers and paws crossed for you :luck: :luck:

 

[TillynPip]

The results on Tilly's lump are in and, unfortunately, it is again malignant . On the bright side, it is another Grade 1 mass cell and my vet says that if we find a third, she will refer Tils to Leahurst University Hospital. I'm not sure to what end so I shall have a chat with her tomorrow when Tilly has her stitches removed. In the meantime Tilly is her usual, bright, bouncing self - what a little star she is. o

 

[eve]

I am so sorry. You must be devastated.

I hope for both your sakes that this disease takes a back seat and that Tilly can get back to a normal happy life with you

:luck: :luck: :luck:

 

[TillynPip]

Thanks eve. After the first lump I just knew this would be malignant and I'm so sad for her. No dog deserves this but she has been through so much I would have loved her to have an uneventful and peaceful life with us. Lets hope it's the last.

 

[whippetsrus]

So sorry to hear this. Fingers crossed. :luck:

 

[mydannyboy]

Sorry to hear your news. Also keeping everything crossed. A difficult time for you. Keep strong x