Chemo For Dogs With Mast Cell Tumors

Jpagetrfphotos via shutterstock.

Chemo for dogs with mast cell tumors.

Prognosis and treatment of mast cell tumor in dogs depends on the size appearance and location of the tumor. Not every dog needs chemotherapy including the tkis. Lejeune a skorupski k frazier s et al. Additional considerations for mast cell tumors.

A tumor consisting of mast cells is called a mastocytoma or mast cell tumor. Their primary functions include defense against parasitic infestations tissue repair and the formation of new blood vessels angiogenesis. There may also be organs with or without high blood counts. What about the symptoms prognosis and treatment of mastocytoma.

A prospective study of radiation therapy for the treatment of grade 2 mast cell tumors in 32 dogs. You can read more about grades and stages at the national canine cancer foundation. In addition to surgery and radiation and possibly chemotherapy you may want to consider supportive medications to counteract the effects of possible degranulation when the mast cell tumor breaks open. The tricky guys are those grade 2 mast cell tumors.

Stage iv mast cell tumors mean there s metastasis in the skin. Mast cells are cells that reside in the connective tissues especially those vessels and nerves that are closest to the external surfaces e g skin lungs nose mouth. Most mct cancers respond well to systemic treatment. Treatment for mast cell tumor in dogs can include surgery drugs radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Pretty much all grade 1 and about 90 or so of grade 2 mast cell tumors are gone permanently after wide excision. Grade 3 mast cell tumors are candidates for chemo and possibly radiation and more as they will often come back and spread even after surgery. Drugs used at wsu include lomustine and vinblastine. Mast cell tumors can be found anywhere on a dog s body but are usually in the skin s superficial layers.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy play roles for dogs with mast cell tumors consult a veterinary oncologist to be sure you know all the options available for treating your dog. Treatment of mast cell tumors. While the tumors are usually found on their own as single tumors it is possible for the dog to have more than one tumor. Aggressive local therapy combined with systemic chemotherapy provides long term control in grade ii stage 2 canine mast cell tumour.

There are several treatment options available for these tumors including a drug called prednisone. J vet intern med 1996 10 376 378. If your dog is diagnosed with a grade iii mast cell tumor most likely chemotherapy will be recommended as at least part of the protocol.