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628 Mass: Cutaneous, Subcutaneous

• Once stable, options include Possible Complications therapies (e.g., chemoembolization for
nonresectable liver mass) are available.
○ Surgical intervention commonly Cross-sectional imaging for surgical plan- • Consider consultation with a veterinary
VetBooks.ir intraabdominal abscess, uterine torsion, knowledge of regional anatomy help minimize specialist, especially for complicated or
indicated (e.g., bleeding splenic mass,
ning of large/vascular masses and thorough
intestinal intussusception)
intraoperative complications.
invasive abdominal masses (e.g., many
○ Medical treatment sometimes pos-
sible (e.g., chemotherapy for infiltrative Recommended Monitoring adrenal tumors)
lymphoma, medical treatment of fungal General postoperative monitoring; specific Technician Tips
granuloma) parameters to monitor vary by disease/mass type Patients are often hypovolemic after removal
○ Palliative care: poor prognosis, costs, or of very large abdominal masses; monitor for
owner’s wishes PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME tachycardia, low blood pressure, and tacky
• In dogs at risk for GDV, consider gastropexy mucous membranes.
after removal of large masses Varies, depending on diagnosis
Client Education
CHRONIC TREATMENT PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS Laboratory evaluation, imaging, and biopsy are
usually necessary for definitive assessment of
Depends entirely on type/cause of mass Comments an abdominal mass.
• Rule out normal processes (folded spleen,
Nutrition/Diet pregnancy) that cause an abdominal mass SUGGESTED READING
• Feeding tube placement during hospitaliza- effect before proceeding to treatment. Thamm DJ: Miscellaneous tumors. In Withrow SJ,
tion (pp. 1106, 1107, and 1109) or surgery • Some masses (including very large ones) are et al, editors: Small animal clinical oncology, ed
can help patients who have been or are benign; presence of a mass does not by itself 5, St. Louis, 2013, Elsevier, p 679.
expected to be anorexic. confer a particular prognosis.
• Supplemental nutrition is strongly advised • Prognosis is generally poorer for a patient AUTHOR: Jacob A. Rubin DVM, DACVS
EDITOR: Elizabeth A. Swanson DVM, MS, DACVS
in patients that are anorexic ≥ 5 days. with a nonresectable mass. Alternative

Mass: Cutaneous, Subcutaneous Client Education
Sheet

BASIC INFORMATION • Dermatophyte pseudomycetoma (Persian ○ Evidence of pruritus or pain
cats) ○ Presence of other animals in the household
Definition ○ Possibility of exposure to anticoagulant
• A grossly detectable accumulation of cells in RISK FACTORS rodenticides (hematomas)
the skin (cutaneous) or soft tissue between Long-term exposure to sunlight increases the ○ Known trauma
the skin and underlying fascia, muscle, or risk of cutaneous hemangioma and hemangio- ○ In cats, indoor/outdoor status should be
bone (subcutaneous) sarcoma (dogs) and squamous cell carcinoma known (risk of bite or scratch wounds,
• Very common in dogs and common in cats (dogs and cats). foreign bodies, other trauma).
Epidemiology CONTAGION AND ZOONOSIS PHYSICAL EXAM FINDINGS
SPECIES, AGE, SEX Transmissible venereal tumors and viral papil- • Characterize the mass in terms of size, shape,
• Older animals more commonly develop lomas are contagious between dogs. location, consistency, depth, and ulceration
benign and malignant neoplasms. and whether it is freely movable. Malignant
• Eosinophilic lesions and plasma cell podo- GEOGRAPHY AND SEASONALITY tumors are more likely to be ulcerated, fixed
dermatitis or stomatitis (cats) • Transmissible venereal tumor is more to underlying structures, and have poorly
• Canine juvenile cellulitis (puppies) prevalent in temperate climates. defined margins.
• Histiocytomas and viral papillomas (young • Fungal infections are more common in • Examine local lymph nodes and possible
dogs) certain locales. sites of metastasis (e.g., lungs, abdomen).
• Intact male cats are prone to abscesses because Local lymph nodes may be enlarged due to
of fighting behavior. ASSOCIATED DISORDERS inflammation (i.e., reactive lymph node) or
• Mammary tumors (intact female dogs) Nodular dermatofibrosis syndrome in German metastasis.
• Perianal gland tumors (intact male dogs) shepherds is associated with renal adenocarci- • A complete physical exam is essential to
noma and uterine leiomyoma. identify associated abnormalities.
GENETICS, BREED PREDISPOSITION
• Malignant tumors are more common in Clinical Presentation Etiology and Pathophysiology
purebred versus crossbred dogs. HISTORY, CHIEF COMPLAINT • A neoplasm is caused by progressive, uncon-
• Boxers are prone to a variety of benign and • Most commonly, the pet owner sees or feels trolled growth of cells. Unlike benign neo-
malignant neoplasms. the mass, but it may be found incidentally plasms, malignant neoplasia shows a greater
• Cutaneous histiocytoma (flat-coated by the veterinarian on physical exam. degree of anaplasia and exhibits invasive and
retrievers) • Historic information obtained should include metastatic properties. Most have an unknown
• Keratinous cysts and nodular dermatofibrosis ○ Evidence of systemic illness cause, but some may be induced by irritation,
syndrome (German shepherds) ○ Presence of similar lesions trauma, viruses, vaccinations, ultraviolet radia-
• Idiopathic focal mucinosis (Doberman ○ Rapidity of onset/progression (malignant tion exposure, thermal injury, immunologic
pinschers) tumors tend to grow rapidly) or genetic influences, or hormones.

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