How is it that something so little can be bad?
What do you mean it's not a cyst?!?
Mast cell tumors, when caught early and removed with good margins (the whole thing cut out, not just part of it) is no cause for worry. However, if a mast cell tumor is allowed to grow and metastasize (spread to other parts of the body) it can be bad news.
Check out Wikipedia for a decent explanation of what a mast tumor is. It might redirect you to "mastocytoma".
FYI - "masto-" means mast, "cyto-" means cell, and "-oma" means tumor.
If you feel a lump on yourself or your pet, PLEASE, have it checked out by a medical doctor. I thought that the lump on Heidi's head was a simple little cyst. I thought, "no big deal."
I took her to the veterinarian to have it looked at by a professional. The vet took a small needle attached to a syringe and poked the lump with it. This draws cells up into the syringe so that they can then be blown onto a slide. The slide is then stained so that the cells show up clearly. The cells are identified by looking at the slide under a microscope. This process is called a "fine needle aspirate" and should be done on just about any unidentified lump. The vet was able to see the mast cells under the microscope. Mast cells have granules (little dots) that appear blue/purple when stained for viewing.
I'm trying not to overreact or blow things out of proportion. BUT Heidi is the reason I get out of bed every morning. I'm not religious so I don't pray - I have my fingers crossed for her. AND it turns out another dog I know just had a mast cell tumor on her head removed. SO keep Shoshone and Heidi in your thoughts.
I'd appreciate all the goodness that can be sent their way.
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