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CLINICAL
INSIGHTS
SUMMARY
Visual monitoring of superficial masses is not enough. Cancer
is a cellular diagnosis. It is always recommended to evaluate
masses that are growing, changing in appearance, or irritating
to the patient, but these guidelines are not enough. All skin
and subcutaneous masses that are >1 cm and have been present
for 1 month should be aspirated for cytologic evaluation.
Biopsy is indicated if cytology does not provide a diagnosis.
Veterinary professionals and pet owners all must be proactive
to advocate for early cancer detection. If tumors are detected
and removed earlier—when they are small and with clean
margins—the prognosis is often good and the patient may not
require additional therapy. See something, do something!
References
1. Northrup N, Geiger T. Tumors of the skin, subcutis and other soft tissues. In:
Henry C, Higginbotham ML, eds. Cancer Management in Small Animal Practice.
Saunders; 2010: 299-313.
2. Biller B, Berg J, Garrett L, et al. 2016 AAHA Oncology Guidelines for Dogs and
Cats. Available at: aaha.org/graphics/original/professional/resources/
guidelines/2016_aaha_oncology_guidelines_for_dogs_and_cats.pdf. Accessed
April 2017.
3. Henry CJ, Pope ER. Methods of tumor diagnosis: fine needle aspiration and
biopsy techniques. In: Henry C, Higginbotham ML, eds. Cancer Management in
Small Animal Practice. Saunders; 2010: 41-58.
4. Selting KA. Soft tissue sarcomas. In: Henry C, Higginbotham ML, eds. Cancer
Management in Small Animal Practice. Saunders; 2010: 321-324.
5. London CA, Thamm DH. Mast cell tumors. In: Withrow SJ, Vail DM, Page R, eds.
Small Animal Clinical Oncology. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:
333-355.
6. Liptak JM, Forrest LJ. Soft tissue sarcomas. In: In: Withrow SJ, Vail DM, Page R,
eds. Small Animal Clinical Oncology. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders;
2013: 356-380.
7. Hauck ML. Tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. In: In: Withrow SJ, Vail
DM, Page R, eds. Small Animal Clinical Oncology. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier
Saunders; 2013: 305-320.
Sue Ettinger
Sue Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), is head of
the Oncology Department at Animal Specialty &
Emergency Center in Wappinger Falls, in the Hudson
Valley of New York. Also known as Dr. Sue Cancer Vet,
she is the coauthor of the second edition of The Dog
Cancer Survival Guide, cohost of the podcast The Pet
Cancer Vet (radiopetlady.com), and an international
speaker. Dr. Ettinger developed See Something, Do
Something, Why Wait? Aspirate—a cancer awareness
initiative for skin and superficial tumors in dogs and
cats. She received her DVM from Cornell University and
completed a medical oncology residency at The Animal
Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Ettinger can be
found on Facebook (facebook.com/DrSueCancerVet)
and Twitter (@DrSueCancerVet).
VET