Canine Mast Cell Tumors: A Pathological Survey of Nineteen Cases

Authors: SEVİL ATALAY VURAL, YILMAZ AYDIN

Abstract: In the survey study, a total of 19 canine mast cell tumors were examined with regard to sex, age, breed of dogs, tumor location, and pathological findings in the period of 1960-1999. The majority of tumors occurred in males (78%) and between the ages of 6 and 11 years (67%). The pointer was predisposed to development of tumors (35%). The hindquarters and hind legs were most commonly involved, followed by the extragenital inguinal area and trunk. The tumors clearly had a site preference for the posterior region of the body (79%). The only extracutaneous tumor was found in the nasal cavity. It was interesting that a tumor was observed in the skin of the tail of the Anatolian Karabash dog. The size of tumors ranged from a nodule 0.5 cm in diameter and weighing 15 gr to a large mass with extensive infiltration of large areas of the dermis which was 19x22x6 cm in dimensions and weighing 1.8 kg. Most of them occurred as well-circumscribed cutaneous nodules, but larger ones were observed to be diffuse poorly delineated oedematous, and more than one as swelling of the skin. Microscopically, tumors were classified as mature (40%), intermediate (47%) and anaplastic (13%), and also characteristic findings were described and discussed.

Keywords: Mast cell tumor, dog, pathological survey

Full Text: PDF