Lump on my dog - soft tissue sarcoma

Hi - A few weeks ago I noticed a small lump on my dog's leg and had the vet take a look. She took a few samples using a needle and the results are that it is a soft tissue sarcoma which will be removed next Thursday. I will not know if it has spread until I get the results from pathology once it is removed but I was curious to know if any one else has experienced this type of cancer in their cat or dog?

I don't have any experience with it, SuperWanda, but I wanted to send you a :grouphug: and :goodvibes: for successful treatment!

:fingerscr that someone has some experience with this and some info for you.

Thank you hazelrunpack. I am pretty worried about it. My vet was actually surprised with the results and thought (just by feeling) that it was a common benign tumor but wanted to take a needle biopsy just in case.

I wasn't really expecting these results and was told that in the low and middle stages there is a 15% chance for spreading, late stage has a 45% chance. They did grade it as a middle stage but she said the needle biopsy is not as accurate. So I will have to wait until it is removed. There also seems to be different types of sacomas so I have no idea what type this is. I just hope that the surgery goes well and we have discoved it soon enough.

:goodvibes: and :pray:s for a successful removal next Thursday and a complete cure. Please let us know how it goes. :grouphug:

I just wanted to give an update on the surgery.

It went very well although I don't have the results from pathology. I am glad Monday is almost here - she will have her stitches removed. It was difficult at first because they removed a lot of tissue and so the skin was stretched close to the knee area - with that tightness and the swelling she couldn't put weight on that leg and seemed very uncomfortable. She did chew a few stitches out herself so very important to wear that terrible cone on her head when we are not able to watch her! Apparently there are 2 layers of stitches beneath the top layer so it kept together well.

At this point she has really bounced back - eating well and even wanting to play and catch wasps! (her Fall addiction).

Just anxiously awaiting the results so we know what type of sarcoma and grade the lump was.

I just seen this thread now. :o

I'm really sorry to hear about your girl but glad the surgery went well and glad she is feeling so spunky. :thumbs up Which one of your dogs is this? I hope the results are as best as they can be. :fingerscr :goodvibes:

Thank you rainbow - I also posted the same update in the dog food section - was looking for info. to boost immune system.

This would be my younger 7 year old. Here she is today with her scar - it is looking really good but still a little weepy on the bottom half (where she removed her own stitches). The rest of the stitches come out tomorrow.

She is beautiful :lovestruck: but poor girl......I've seen that sad husky face many times. :grouphug:

Good luck with the pathology report.....I hope you get the results soon. :fingerscr :goodvibes:

She is a beauty! :cloud9: And the incision looks remarkably well for having had the stitches removed a bit prematurely... :D Our dogs are little :evil:s about stitches, too... :rolleyes:

We're still :fingerscr and crossing 32 :pawprint:s here for good results!

Pathology results are in and the lump turned out to be a benign cutaneous fibroma!

I am very happy but poor dog had to go through that sugery but what can you do? I guess they take such a small sample from the middle of the lump that they can make mistakes. She tried to explain but I was lost - something about the cells having double nuclei and lacy cytoplasm so can be mistaken for a sarcoma.

Wahoo :thumbs up. I am glad it is benign! Always better safe than sorry when dealing with lumps!

That is great news! Bet it made your day!! Beautiful pup. :cloud9:

You have just made my day, SuperWanda! :highfive: And I can only imagine the relief you must be feeling! :grouphug:

Best news I've had all week!

What a big scar that is ! woohoo for benign :thumbs up

What a cute face :lovestruck:

I am so glad that it was benign. :highfive:

Can we get a pic of a happy face now? :D

My dog, Dexter was just diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma for a lump on his ribs. Taking drags tomorrow....they want to schedule surgery to remove & do radiation afterwards...very sad right now.

Welcome to the board, Cugz. I'm sorry it's under these circumstances :grouphug:

I don't have any advice except love your baby and treasure the time you have together. I am going through cancer with one of mine (Canine Histiocytic Sarcoma-dessimated or localized, we are not sure which it is), and it's heart breaking to think you may not have much more time. You will find a wonderful group of very supportive people here :)

I just saw the thread..how's your dog now?

Sorry to meet you under such sad circumstances, Cugz! :grouphug: Please keep us updated on how Dexter is doing.

Good news! Hugs and prayers. What a beautiful girl she is! Quick recovery wishes

My dog, Dexter was just diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma for a lump on his ribs. Taking drags tomorrow....they want to schedule surgery to remove & do radiation afterwards...very sad right now.

There is some info on diet, etc. here:
http://germanshepherdhome.net/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/32998/Cancer#Post32998

Best of luck to you.