Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How much skin to remove for dog mast cell tumor surgery
By Simpson, Amelia M et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2004·Department of Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of surgical margins required for complete excision of cutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 21 dogs with skin tumors called mast cell tumors (MCTs) underwent surgery to remove them. The study found that a 2-centimeter margin around the tumor was usually enough to ensure complete removal, especially for grade-II tumors, which are more aggressive. In fact, all grade-I tumors were completely excised, while 75% of grade-II tumors were fully removed at a 1-centimeter margin and 100% at 2 centimeters. This means that if your dog has a mast cell tumor, a surgical margin of 2 centimeters is likely to be effective for a successful outcome.
People also search for: dog mast cell tumor surgery · mast cell tumor treatment in dogs · dog skin tumor removal success rate
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether neoplastic mast cells extended into tissue 1, 2, or 3 cm laterally or deeper than 1 fascial plane from the visible edge of cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 21 client-owned dogs with > or = 1 cutaneous MCT PROCEDURES: After preparation for surgery, each dog's skin was marked 1, 2, and 3 cm from the tumor edge at 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees. At each 3-cm mark, deep fascia was exposed and sutured to the skin; the tumor was excised in routine fashion and fixed in formalin. Tumors were graded; margins were examined histologically for neoplastic mast cells. RESULTS: 23 cutaneous MCTs in 21 dogs were included in this study. Fifteen (65%) tumors were located on the trunk, 5 (22%) on the hind limbs, and 3 (13%) on the head and neck. There were 3 (13%) grade-I and 20 (87%) grade-II tumors. All grade-I tumors were completely excised at all margins. Seventy-five percent of the grade-II tumors were completely excised at the 1-cm margin, and 100% were completely excised at the 2-cm margin. Two grade-II MCTs located on the hind limbs of dogs were excised with a complete but close (within 1 mm) deep margin. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that a 2-cm lateral margin and a deep margin of 1 fascial plane appear to be adequate for complete excision of grade-I and -II MCTs in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14736068/