I was recently invited to a friend’s house to watch the Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester United. As I entered the television room, I met my host’s dog Spike for the first time and immediately noticed a melon-sized lump on the side of his chest.

When tumours are malignant, they are invasive or have the ability to metastasise or move to another part of the body

Spike is fawn-coloured and short-haired; he probably has some Great Dane blood in him as he stands very tall and slim. Eight-year-old Spike is in very good health for his age but, as you would imagine, the neo-formation on his chest has somewhat diminished his looks.

Having never met before and trailing none of the usual scents of a veterinary’s clinic, Spike was understandably taken aback when yours truly suddenly exhibited an interest in his torso.

This is a bit over-familiar, he probably thought. But, being a gentle fellow and his master clearly in agreement, Spike allowed himself to be subjected to exploratory examination.

The words neoplasm, tumour, benign, malignant, cancer and metastasis are all commonly used terms and, unless well understood, may cause unnecessary anxiety or over-complacency if underrated.

A neoplasm is the abnormal proliferation of cells in the body which, when physically visible, is refered to as a tumour. When tumours are malignant, they are invasive or have the ability to metastasise or move to another part of the body.

Malignant tumours are generally life-threatening and the word cancer is reserved to malignant tumours. Benign tumours, on the other hand, are typically contained, are non-invasive and normally non-life-threatening. They can, however, as in Spike’s case, grow to enormous sizes.

Tumours can occur anywhere and everywhere in the body and are unfortunately common in dogs and cats as much as in humans.

Size is not really an indicator of the severity of the tumour; nor is it an indication of whether or not it should be removed. Location, type, growth rate and general condition of the dog or cat are far more important factors to consider.

Depending on what type of tumour we are looking at, a biopsy can sometimes be performed, whereby a small portion of the tumour is removed for microscopic examination. This helps determine, first of all, whether it is a neoplasm, and, if it is, whether it has benign or malignant characteristics.

Sometimes, even benign tumours can be life-threatening. For example, benign tumours could occlude a vital organ such as the airways or the intestine; they could grow in areas such as the ear canal, where they cause irreparable damage; sometimes, they have a tendency to bleed and cause anaemia if left untreated.

If you see a persisting lump or bump on your dog or cat which should not be there, it is important to have it seen to by your veterinarian, who will advise you on how or whether it should be treated.

Together, you can discuss the available options for possible removal, biopsy, treatment or maybe even adopt a wait-and-see approach. Such decisions may depend on factors like type, location and growth rate, which will also take into account the medical history and present medical condition of your dog or cat.

As expected, Spike had a very large benign tumour. During surgery, it was found to be a lipoma, which is a type of neoplasm that originates from the cells of fatty or adipose tissue.

Spike is now walking even taller.

thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com

Dr Debattista is a veterinary surgeon.