Lumps, Bumps, Growths, and Masses

Lumps, bumps, growths, and masses: these are all vague and non-specific words for the same thing. And as far as pets are concerned, they are a common occurrence. How do we know which ones are harmless and which ones are threats to our pets' health?

As with humans, "lumps and bumps" in dogs and cats can arise from many different types of tissue. Although there are certain growths that may affect pets of any age, many don't appear until later in life when cells tend to misbehave and the immune system's defenses are not up to par. When we discover any new or abnormal growth, we must start by asking ourselves the following:

- How long has the growth been there? Did it suddenly appear? Or, looking back, did it start awhile ago as a perceived pimple, insect bite, or infected area that persisted to reveal itself as a mass?

- Has it stayed the same size for a long time, or is it steadily growing? Some lumps will appear to have grown because they have become secondarily infected or inflamed. Others, whether benign or malignant, can grow rapidly and change quickly.


There are some common misconceptions that have little value in determining the potential dangers of a growth, such as:

- The observance that the mass "doesn't bother him or her".

- The idea that a lump doesn't "look" cancerous.

- The thought that only large growths are cancerous.

Even needle aspirations of a growth can be misleading or inaccurate when trying to classify it as benign or malignant. The only reliable way to evaluate a growth is by submitting it for analysis by histopathology. 

WE SEE MANY LUMPS, BUMPS, GROWTHS, AND MASSES!

The following recommendations can help you avoid high vet costs and the unnecessary suffering of your pet when that dreaded "lump" appears:

- Take the important preventative care steps that can decrease the occurrence and progression of cancer in your pet. These include spaying/neutering, maintaining an ideal body weight, and yearly examinations by your veterinarian.

- DON'T WAIT! Have growths checked early. Once a mass has progressed in size or spread it becomes more expensive--and sometimes impossible--to remove using standard surgical methods. Even if you and your veterinarian agree to watch the mass for change, it is important to follow up quickly if change occurs.

- If possible, consent to having histopathology done on a removed growth to answer the question "what is it?", determine a prognosis, and develop a future course of action.

- If you are planning on having another procedure done to your pet, i.e., routine spay, neuter, dental, etc., consider having that worrisome "lump" removed at that time before it changes. Remember that even if a mass is truly benign, it can still cause problems if it fills with fluid (i.e., cysts) or becomes infected, inflamed, or necrotic.

Lumps, Bumps, Growths, and Masses can be scary, but can usually be treated successfully, resulting in a good outcome, when you and your veterinarian work together for your pet.