H
hsutopia
I've got a new "medical challenge" with one of my dogs, and would really appreciate some advice on the best way to evaluate next steps.
This is an 8-year old intact male, who this week had cytology done on a 8mm raised lump. Diagnosis is <em>perianal gland tumor, probable adenoma - adenomatous hyperplasia</em>.
The vet says this is good news that it's most likely benign, but still suggests removing the lump for a biopsy, and neutering him at the same time, since these adenomas typically happen in older intact dogs. The suggestion is that removing the testosterone would prevent these types of tumors.
This boy has super vitality, is balanced and sound, and has rarely had any health issues. The only "bad" thing is he has a retained testicle; he had both at 8 weeks, and one pulled up before he was 4 or 5 months old. We weighed the risk and made the decision to leave it. He has had minimal vaccines except for rabies, for which he had the 6 month, 1.5 year, then approx. every 3 years. Last booster was just a few months ago.
So there are two decision points:
1. Whether to remove the lump. The lump is still small, and not in a location that is likely to cause any problems. The report indicates it is probably benign, but can't know for certain without removing it and doing a biopsy. I also wonder whether a benign tumor of this type could convert to a malignant one, or if it could grow until it becomes a problem and harder to remove. I'm inclined to have it removed, but at this point it's because this is something I'm not familiar with, so am a bit nervous about it. I don't typically remove other benign lumps like sebaceous cysts or lipomas.
2. Whether to neuter or at least remove the retained one. Is this a serious enough issue to neuter for? Does the fact he has had one tumor mean he's prone to getting many more? If he gets more benign lumps, is that really a problem? In terms of neutering, I'm of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, especially since there are many health benefits to keeping his hormones. Part of me wonders whether the retained testicle could make perianal tumors more likely to occur, though I've only ever seen references to testicular tumors so I suspect not.
Thanks!
Christine
This is an 8-year old intact male, who this week had cytology done on a 8mm raised lump. Diagnosis is <em>perianal gland tumor, probable adenoma - adenomatous hyperplasia</em>.
The vet says this is good news that it's most likely benign, but still suggests removing the lump for a biopsy, and neutering him at the same time, since these adenomas typically happen in older intact dogs. The suggestion is that removing the testosterone would prevent these types of tumors.
This boy has super vitality, is balanced and sound, and has rarely had any health issues. The only "bad" thing is he has a retained testicle; he had both at 8 weeks, and one pulled up before he was 4 or 5 months old. We weighed the risk and made the decision to leave it. He has had minimal vaccines except for rabies, for which he had the 6 month, 1.5 year, then approx. every 3 years. Last booster was just a few months ago.
So there are two decision points:
1. Whether to remove the lump. The lump is still small, and not in a location that is likely to cause any problems. The report indicates it is probably benign, but can't know for certain without removing it and doing a biopsy. I also wonder whether a benign tumor of this type could convert to a malignant one, or if it could grow until it becomes a problem and harder to remove. I'm inclined to have it removed, but at this point it's because this is something I'm not familiar with, so am a bit nervous about it. I don't typically remove other benign lumps like sebaceous cysts or lipomas.
2. Whether to neuter or at least remove the retained one. Is this a serious enough issue to neuter for? Does the fact he has had one tumor mean he's prone to getting many more? If he gets more benign lumps, is that really a problem? In terms of neutering, I'm of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, especially since there are many health benefits to keeping his hormones. Part of me wonders whether the retained testicle could make perianal tumors more likely to occur, though I've only ever seen references to testicular tumors so I suspect not.
Thanks!
Christine