Histiocytoma in dogs: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Histiocytes in dogs are the most common skin disease. These pathological formations occupy a significant place in the list of sarcomas. They develop in the intermuscular fascia. According to observations, this type of tumor is characterized by spasmodic growth.

Causes of development

Science today is not ready to give an exact answer to the question, why the fibrous histiocytoma begins to develop. Since this kind of tumor affects only soft tissues, most often its origin is caused by the following reasons:

1. Excessive exposure to ionizing rays.
2. Soft tissue injuries.
3. Genetic predisposition.
4. Pathology of immunity.
5. The impact of carcinogens.

Perhaps this is not a complete list, but to date it is the most likely cause of the appearance of this type of tumor in dogs.

Clinical picture

The symptomatology depends on the place where the new formation has focused:

• If the tumor appeared in the thickness of the tissues, then it will manifest as follows: the pet will be tormented by pains in the abdomen, appetite will disappear, fever, temperature will appear. The animal will lose weight, suffering from indisposition and exhaustion.
• If the tumor goes to the surface, its signs are as follows: the formation on the dermis, the color around it becomes red, the joints that are near, lose mobility. When pressure is applied to the tumor, pain occurs.

Growing up, education affects the surrounding tissues, causing ulcers and peeling. If the cancer has injured limbs, the likelihood of fractures increases.

Diagnostics

Suspicions of malignant formation must be confirmed / disproved by biopsy results. It is made to obtain a sample of the affected tissue: it must be carefully examined. The results give an opportunity to identify the type of sarcoma. The presence of a certain type of markers indicates the type of education.

MRI leads to the determination of the specific form of the tumor, its characteristics and the location of the dislocation. These data will be useful for surgeons. During ultrasound, the tumor size and location of the lymph nodes are revealed. The maximum information about education will allow correctly and as completely as possible to prescribe a treatment that allows to save the life of a pet.

Treatment of fibrous histiocytoma

Histiocytoma in dogs - a malignant tumor, but not too aggressive. Treatment of it, in the first place, consists of surgical intervention. At the same time it is necessary to conduct radiation and chemotherapy, which will suppress the emergence of new ones, the growth of old ones and destroy existing formations. A histiocytoma in dogs involves excising not only cancer cells, but also a few centimeters around the tumor. This is to exclude relapse.

Forecast

All experts are unanimous in opinion: the earlier the problem is detected, the more likely the complete cure. If a histiocytoma is suspected in dogs, you need to urgently consult a specialist. Even minor pain, arising periodically, can speak about the origin of the disease.

Experts argue that a not too high percentage of recovery is due to a high probability of metastasis. It is important to consider that, having formed from this type of tumor, they react weakly to the influence of chemistry or radiation therapy. 15% of dogs with histiocytoma end with a tumor of bone tissue.

Prophylaxis of sarcoma

It is very important not only to examine the animal in time for the appearance of various neoplasms, but also to minimize the risk of their appearance:

1. Use as few vaccines as possible, which contain aluminum hydroxide.
2. Make injections, which must be injected subcutaneously, into the tail area, below the third caudal vertebra. In this case, if there is a sarcoma, the amputation of the tail will not affect the quality of life of the animal. In addition, the probability of recurrence in this case is minimal.

Relapse prevention

No matter how hard you try, a tumor can appear. As a result, your pet will be operated. At this stage it is important to know what needs to be done to prevent relapses. First of all, early diagnosis of the disease is important. The smaller the tumor, the less the risk of her return after surgery. In addition, the earlier chemotherapy is initiated, the more likely that the disease will not return. And more: the more healthy tissue will be removed along with the affected, the less the risk of recurrence.