Companion Dog Mast Cell Tumour Welfare

Mast cell tumours are one of the most common canine skin cancers - early detection, grading, and treatment determine welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Mast cell tumours (MCTs) account for approximately 20% of all skin tumours in dogs
Boxers, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Bull Terriers are among the most commonly affected breeds
MCTs are graded 1-3 or low/high grade based on histological features predicting behaviour
Low-grade MCTs treated with complete surgical excision have excellent prognosis
High-grade MCTs require additional therapy and have shorter expected survival times
The tyrosine kinase inhibitor toceranib is an approved medical treatment for MCTs

Welfare Considerations

Mast cell tumour welfare management depends critically on accurate staging and grading followed by appropriate treatment. Low-grade tumours treated early have excellent welfare outcomes. High-grade tumours require honest quality-of-life discussions as treatment intensity must be weighed against likely benefit in individual patients.

What You Can Do

Have any new skin lump on your dog checked by a vet within 2 weeks of noticing it
Ask your vet about fine needle aspiration to characterise skin masses before surgery
Seek histopathology and grading of any removed MCT to guide further management
Consult an oncologist for high-grade or incompletely excised MCTs
Support canine cancer research through Morris Animal Foundation donations