Mass Removal and Surgical Oncology
Oncologic surgery is often the most effective tool for treating tumors in pets. In a specialty surgical setting, the goal shifts from just “removing a lump” to achieving clean margins—ensuring a wide enough perimeter of healthy tissue is removed around the mass to prevent the cancer from returning.
It is commonly recommended when a mass is growing, causing discomfort, or requires evaluation to determine whether it is benign or malignant.
We take a thoughtful, individualized approach to each case — balancing effective treatment with comfort, function, and overall quality of life for your pet.
Common Types of Masses Removed
Lipomas
Benign fatty tumors common in older dogs. While not cancerous, they are removed if they restrict movement or grow large enough to cause discomfort.
Mast Cell Tumors (MCT)
The most common skin cancer in dogs. These require precise surgical margins because they “branch out” into surrounding tissue like microscopic roots.
Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Firm masses that often grow deep into muscle or connective tissue. These usually require aggressive “wide and deep” surgical planning.
Splenic Masses
Often discovered via ultrasound or as an emergency if the spleen ruptures. A Splenectomy (complete removal of the spleen) is the standard treatment.
Mammary Tumors
Common in unspayed or late-spayed females. Surgery can range from removing a single lump to a full Mastectomy of the mammary chain.
Specialized Surgical Techniques
Oncologic surgeons follow the “first chance is the best chance” rule, using specific techniques to ensure success.
Staging & Biopsy
Before surgery, the surgeon may perform a Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) or a small biopsy to identify the “grade” of the tumor, which dictates how aggressive the surgery needs to be. In addition to routine bloodwork, imaging such as thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and/or CT scans may be recommended to know if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Wide Local Excision
The mass or tumor is removed with enough healthy “cancer-free” tissue on the lateral and deep aspects of the tumor in order to obtain clean surgical margins.
Lymph Node Mapping
Removing the nearby “sentinel” lymph node to check if the cancer has begun to spread (metastasize).
Reconstructive Skin Flaps
If a large mass is removed from a limb or area with tight skin, surgeons use advanced “plastic surgery” techniques to move healthy skin over the site to ensure it closes properly.
Expected Outcomes & Prognosis
- Curative Intent: For many benign tumors and low-grade cancers, a single surgery with clean margins is 100% curative.
- Palliative Surgery: In cases where a cure isn't possible, surgery may still be performed to remove a painful or bleeding mass, significantly improving the pet's quality of life.
- The "Margins" Report: After surgery, the mass is sent to a pathologist. The most critical part of the outcome is the Histopathology Report, which tells the surgeon if the margins are "clean" (no cancer at the edges) or "dirty" (cancer cells remain).
Recovery and Follow-Up
Short-Term
Most pets go home within 24–48 hours. The primary focus is preventing the pet from licking the site, as oncologic incisions are often long and under tension.
Long-Term
If the margins were clean, the pet may only need seasonal “re-checks.” If the tumor was high-grade, the surgeon may recommend follow-up with a Veterinary Oncologist for chemotherapy or radiation to catch any microscopic cells left behind.