Lumps and bumps-(Cancer)

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Last month, I noticed that our little 2yr old Brianna had developed a small lump between her lower canine tooth and the front small tooth. I called our vet, and got her right away. He said not to worry, it is only a Gingival Hyperplasia, and probably caused from an irritation. He sent us home to keep an eye on it for changes, etc. and recommended removing it if it becomes uncomfortable or have it remove during a routine dental procedure. O.K. that is not a problem, and made me very happy it was nothing. Well, about two weeks later, I noticed it was bleeding, probably from the upper Canine tooth coming down on top I thought and so I called the vet again and he said not to worry and it is a simple Gingivectomy (lop off of the lump) and so we did this. I did insisted that a biopsy be sent in. He mentioned the cost, I told him to go ahead and biopsy the lump. Well, our little lump according to the Histopathology Report is called a Plasmacytoma, a Plasma Cell Tumor. It states this particular neoplasm is considered to be one of the more pleomorphic types and thus, these can have more aggressive local behavior and metastasize.......and the Prognosis is fair. We have now gone for a second opinion from another vet that came highly recommended (this is good reference to alt. vets http://www.perseusfoundation.org/new-petowner/visit.cfm ) And we have been using them for our other dog with medical issues with good outcome. We are on an alt. treatment protocol for her and we will be back for a re check in a couple of weeks. Concurrently looking at an Oncologist in Glendale, WI. Does anyone have experience with Veterinary Oncologists? Thanks much, Debbie and little Brianna

Update 10/27/09 Not the best news.....I took Brianna in for a checkup on Friday. She is doing so well, and thought this would go so smooth. But, I saw this pimple sized (looks a lot like a canker sore) growth behind the lower Canine tooth on the bottom, on the same side as the original tumor. It is very small! Even he mentioned it was too small to even biopsy. The vet sent the report of this to the Oncologist that we are seeing. I just spoke with receptionist over the phone today and the Onc wants to do another Biopsy through their dentist.....I asked a ton of question regarding depth and all but she could not answer this. I will be getting a call back as soon as the records make it over to the dentist specialist and then we will be making an appointment along with the info in what she wants them to do. :(((

Update 11-17-09Finally!! I got the low-down! NO second biopsy (yet) wait and watch. After the Onc. office called-I wanted more info....this is been killing me. No word for two and a half weeks on what she was prescribing and having us do....The Onc was out for the first week at a seminar, then went on vacation I guess....I called our vet during the first week when she was out ...he did the original Biopsy, to see if maybe he could get a message in to her and get something back...nothing! Ok, I took Brianna into him and had him look at this regrowth behind the tooth. He said it would be too small to biopsy (just like the alt vet said), but agreed there is something there, and could be a scar! O.K. now what? He called back yesterday that the Onc. finally called and they discussed the findings....there was a miscommunication with the Alt vet and report, and she had in Brianna's chart that any regrowth means second biopsy, and why she just wanted me to jump her into the dentist! Crums sake, I could have done just that and while she was on VACATION had my poor baby under the knife! Ok I am done venting, but I am taking this a much better new and thankful AGAIN it looks like we are going to be just fine.......

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

I asked, and the answer I got was, "these things happen". You can be sure I will press the doctor for a better answer when we go to get the stitches removed at the end of the week. Do you have some knowledge of what it could have been? I am totally in the dark, but if it was something viral that could have been treated, I am really going to be pissed that Beau had to go through the surgery, and that I had to incur a huge expense.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My Jack had to have minor surgery to remove a growth this past spring. Because it was located at the base of his tail, they were able to do it with local anesthetic, so my costs were not as high as yours, but there were 2 biopsies done, so it wasn't cheap, either. It turned out to be some odd kind of mole. It would never have been life-threatening, but there's just no way of knowing that beforehand, and it's always better to get rid of these things just to be on the safe side. I was just glad it wasn't anything serious, and I know you are, too!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Many things it could have been but you deserve an actual diagnosis from the vet.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Hi Ellen, If or when the biopsy results with a histopathology report is in to your vet, ask for a copy. Ours took over a week to make it back to our vet. Our vet was happy to provide copies and then I was able to get a better handle on the exact wording and also made the decision to get second opinion treatments and consultation of an Onc. It helped to to have the wording to ease my crazy mom worry with internet research (ps be careful with this. The sites I looked at for research papers crashed my hard drive, and cooked my second computer within one week of getting it new from Dell) It was agonizing trying to stay updated on a phone! Again I am so sorry beau had to and is going through this period of recovery. I am with you that it is rough to put our loved ones through this......I hope the results come back that all is well, and you can rest assured he will be fine for ever more.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Ellen I just read that you posted it was benign... so glad to see the news!!!

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

well, I got the report....now, if it was only in ENGLISH!! It talks about keratosis, follicles, etc. When I can be on the computer more than a few minutes, I will quote the entire thing so maybe someone can help me decipher it. Best of all, however, it says that there is no sign of neoplasmic something or other, and I'm told that means benign. Beau gets his stitches out tomorrow. I will ask the vet to explain the report. If it turns out that this was an ingrown hair or canine acne, I'm going to be plenty angry that he was put through this, and also that I have a big expense to pay out, at a time when I am not able to work. (elderly Mom wit dementia, not fun...needs 24/7 care). Thank you all for being so caring and helpful!

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

OK here goes:
MIcroscopic Findings:
Sections of haired skin had multiple enlarged follicles which contained inspissated fragments of keratin (comedones). Occasionally comedones were large enough to cause distortion of the dermal adenxa. Multifocally there was comedone rupture with marked pyogranulematous inflamation associated with fragments of keratin in the dermis. Non-dilated follicles also contained excessive keratin (follicular keratosis).
Morphologic/Final Diagnosis:
Haired Skin:
1. Multifocal marked pyogranulematous dermatitus with intralesional free keratin
2. Multifocal comedones with multifocal moderate to marked follicular keratosis.

Comments:
There was no evidence of neoplastic auto-immune/immune mediared (to include sebaceous) or infectious disease in the section. The lesion was centered on the formation of comedones and excess follicular keratin. The cause of this lesion was not apparent in the section evaluated. However the animal may be predisposed to the development of other similar lesions. Consultation with a veterinary dermatologist may be warranted if lesions persist or worsen.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In people, comedones are blackheads.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Essentially what this says is that there is an inflammatory reaction to ruptured hair follicles with some keratin--skin, hair, nail protein--in the tissues, where it should not be. There are also plugged hair follicles with too much keratin (comedones). I have a reference which is a bit difficult to read but it suggests that some cases of follicular keratosis, the basic diagnosis, may respond to vitamin A , which you might want to discuss with your vet. at least this is abenign condition though your dog may be prone to it.
Follicular Keratosis

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

THANK you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Ellen, I am so glad you where able to get the papers and so much help from everyone here too. Hope beau feels better now the stiches are out. I hear you on the expense. My regret is only that I don't have pet insurance. I wonder how much they would be covering. I should look into this for the future.....

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

this has been such a HUGE help, I am so very grateful! The stitches don't actually come out unitl tomorrow, and then we'll be back to the dog park for some fun!!