Histiocytoma Lump

[Kelly_Louise]

Sash has a histiocytoma lump, not cancerous or dangerous. I believe these can, on some occasions – self regress. I was just wondering if anyone knows how this happens…. The reason for my question is that Sasha’s is starting to scab up (from small amounts of weeping), and the scabbing is how covering half the lump. Is this how it heals itself maybe? She doesn’t pay it any attention that I can see, so isn’t actively licking/biting/scratching it – and regardless it’s in a spot she can’t quite reach anyway – so I was just thinking that maybe it’s normal for it to get weepy and scab over and maybe that’s the development of it’s regression?

Or does anyone know the normal behaviour of a histiocytoma – and if this kind of scabbing is normal?

It seems to have gotten better since I’ve been bathing it in warm salty water. The scabbing seems to have dried up and looks pretty clean.

Thanks for any advice!!

[Red Fox]

Kei had a small one around a year or so ago which got a little weepy then scabbed up (then disappeared not long after). I think the vet said at the time that it's normal for them to get a little angry/sore looking?? I can't quite remember though..

ETA : http://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/clerk/woods/index.php

Cutaneous histiocytomas are generally observed by the practitioner as solitary, red, dome-shaped, sparsely haired nodules that appear rapidly (Fig. 2). They often are ulcerated, but are non-painful. The most common sites of tumor development include the head, pinna, and neck, especially in young dogs.³ More rarely, neoplasms may occur on the trunk and extremities, and frequently involve the feet and toes of older individuals (KSL, personal observation). Rarely, histiocytomas may arise in multiple sites.

The metastatic potential of histiocytomas has not been studied directly, but reports of tumor metastasis are rare. Death due to cutaneous histiocytoma has not been reported. It is generally accepted that this tumor does not readily metastasize, and should be considered benign.

Edited December 14, 2010 by SecretKei

[Kelly_Louise]

Thanks SK That's kind of what I was hoping to hear (although I know you are not saying for sure that it's nothing to worry about). I might google it a bit more as well.

The vet did say to come back if it was bleeding or if it bothered her. Well, it's not really bleeding, just a weepy looking sore (that's not dried and scabby), that has very tiny tinges of bloodish colour, but very clear mostly. I will keep bathing it - and hopefully this means it is healing and disappearing. I assume this to be the case as she doesn't really touch it (nor could she unless she was very inventive - which Sash isn't LOL). Will keep an eye on it though, if it gets worse I will talk to the vet about whether or not to remove it.

I think I'll give it a bit more time to see how it goes. I'm on holidays from Thursday so if it is going to be removed, this would have been a good time so that I could be home to keep an eye on her. But I've always got my parents to help out or can take unpaid leave, so won't rush it just yet...

YOu've been so much help with this lump situation SK - I appreciate it and thank you!!!

[Red Fox]

No worries KL, I know how stressful it can be!

It sounds like it's fairly normal for these things to ulcerate so I wouldn't panic just yet, but if it looks like it's bothing her (or getting bigger) off to the vet. I'm sure Sasha will be fine though

I think I just bathed Kei's with some saline from memory, dont know if it did him any good but it made me worry less.

[vetrg]

Histiocytomas tend to look at their worst just before they resolve. However histiocytes release histamine which is itchy so they often get removed at this point as the dog starts to chew at them. If you can bear with it it should start looking better soon.

[Kelly_Louise]

Histiocytomas tend to look at their worst just before they resolve. However histiocytes release histamine which is itchy so they often get removed at this point as the dog starts to chew at them. If you can bear with it it should start looking better soon.

Thanks vetrg, I keep a close watch on it, and it still doesn't seem to be giving her any grief - so I'll persevere for the time being, hoping it is on it's way OFF - it's reassuring to know that we are on the right track though! SK, the saline solution really does seem to help, it was looking really icky on the couple of days I didn't wash it, as soon as I started again it's looking much better. For the meantime anyway, and yes, it makes me feel like I'm helping a bit (plus I think she loves the attention ).

Thanks for the peace of mind guys - much better than putting her through getting it cut out at this point, especially seeing she's made so much progress with the vet!