However, many malignant lumps grow rapidly and may infiltrate into the underlying tissue. We use the same needles that are used to give vaccines, and we just extract a few cells and take a look at them under a microscope. Many skin tumors, benign or malignant, can be cured with surgery. Diagnostic tests may be needed to determine whether your pet's lump is a manifestation of a more widespread disease. The most common malignant skin cancer in the dog is mast cell tumor.
Mast cells are normal cells in the body that serve a normal defense mechanism.
Mast cells also mediate most allergic diseases such as asthma and food allergies. If the normal mast cell undergoes a malignant change, a mast cell tumor may be produced. The potential for mast cell tumor aggressiveness may be determined by a biopsy. Other factors are also important in predicting the biologic nature of mast cell tumors. Although mast cell tumors primarily affect the skin, they have the potential to spread to other areas of the body.