What are Hair Follicle Tumors?
Hair follicle tumors develop as a result of the disordered growth of the hair follicles. There is a genetic predisposition to developing hair follicle tumors, and they are more likely to occur in the Golden Retriever, Standard Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, English Springer Spaniel, Irish Setter, German Shepherd, Cocker Spaniel, Norweigan Elkhound, Keeshond, Kerry Blue, Bedlington Terrier, Bichon Frise, and Basset Hound breeds.
Hair follicle tumors are tumors originating in the hair follicles in a dog’s skin. While there are several types, almost all are generally benign, and the prognosis for hair follicle tumors is typically good.Hair Follicle Tumors Average Cost
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Symptoms of Hair Follicle Tumors in Dogs
The primary symptom of hair follicle tumors is the palpable tumor on the surface of a dog’s skin. Tumors may ulcerate and ooze bloody fluid and are at a risk of becoming infected.
Types
Infundibular Keratinizing Acanthoma tumor develops in the upper part of the hair follicle and may be solitary or multiple. These are likely found on the back of the neck and trunk. They discharge keratin and pus and/or blood. These more commonly occur in males than females, and the average age of occurrence is five years.
Trichoepithelioma tumor is typically found in middle age dogs, on the back, shoulders, trunk, tail and limbs. They ulcerate and can discharge pus and/or blood. In German Shepherds, they are likely to occur in multiple sites, although they can occur singularly.
Trichoblastoma tumors develop in hair matrical cells (cells at the root of the hair follicle), are usually solitary, and are likely found at the head, neck and base of the ear. They are most likely to occur in the Standard Poodle and Cocker Spaniel breeds.
Pilomatricoma tumors develop in hair matrical cells and are usually solitary. However, there is an extremely rare malignant form of pilomatricoma that can metastasize and spread throughout the body. However, only five cases of multiple malignant pilomatricoma have ever been recorded in the United States. Certain breeds with continuous hair growth are most susceptible to developing this type of tumor because of the constant cell division occurring in their hair follicles. These are the Kerry Blue, Poodle, Bedlington Terrier, Schnauzer, and Bichon Frise breeds.
Causes of Hair Follicle Tumors in Dogs
The cause of hair follicle tumors is unknown, although there seems to be a genetic connection, as the correlation of certain physical structures of follicles of certain breeds, that may contribute to their development. Development of hair follicle tumors is also associated with excess production of the naturally occurring chemical B-catenin, which enables hair follicles to develop from skin cells.
Diagnosis of Hair Follicle Tumors in Dogs
Diagnosis depends upon a thorough reporting of the onset of your dog’s health history and the onset of symptoms, as well as a complete physical examination. This will include a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis that will include an electrolyte panel. These tests will determine the overall health of your dog and reveal any other issues.
The veterinarian will suspect a hair follicle tumor upon physical examination, and will then take samples of the tumor through biopsy or fine needle aspirate to submit to a veterinary pathologist for histopathologic laboratory analysis. The veterinary pathologist will report the results, of which the analysis will help provide transparency to the type of hair follicle tumor and if it is benign or malignant.
Treatment of Hair Follicle Tumors in Dogs
Treatment is surgical removal of the tumor itself, and this is a simple procedure for singular, benign hair follicle tumors.
Multiple infundibular keratinizing acanthomas will each be removed surgically, and your dog’s coat may need to be shaved completely. This will be followed by antibiotics and high doses of omega-3-fatty acids.
Trichoepithelioma may be found to be malignant; however, this type of cancer does not metastasize and is usually cured by removal of the tumor or tumors themselves.
In the unlikely event your dog is diagnosed with malignant pilomatricoma, you will be referred to a veterinarian oncologist to discuss treatment. Prognosis for this incredibly rare form of cancer is poor.
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Recovery of Hair Follicle Tumors in Dogs
Recovery involves the proper care of the surgical site and your dog’s skin. The area must be kept clean and monitored for healing. You cannot allow your pet to rub, scratch, lick or bite the affected area; an Elizabethan Collar, which is provided to prevent your dog from licking or biting due to irritation, may be necessary. Report any negative changes to the site to the veterinarian immediately.
Most tumors are completely cured by surgical excision. Prognosis of benign hair follicle tumors is typically excellent; however, your veterinary pathologist will be able to give you an accurate prognosis based on your dog’s tumor that will include the probability of local recurrence. It is important to monitor your dog’s coat throughout its life in order to identify the recurrence of any hair follicle tumors and contact the veterinarian immediately if you identify one.
Hair Follicle Tumors Average Cost
From 5 quotes ranging from $600 - $10,000
Average Cost
$8,000
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Hair Follicle Tumors Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Basset Hound
Dru
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cancerous Tumor
Hello,
My five year old basset hound had a lump on his back. His previous owners said they had it checked out and that it was nothing to worry about. I have had him for two years and within the last few months, the lump grew quite substantially. I took him to the vet and they removed the lump and had it sent off for testing. I got the call today that it is in fact cancer. Pilomatricoma, a RARE type of aggressive cancer. The vet checked with other vets at the clinic and none had ever seen it before. They all had to do some research before calling me about it. He stressed that it is very rare. He said they got clean borders on the tumor and asked if the dog was showing any signs of neurological problems. He isn't. He seems perfectly healthy. The vet said it is possible it could have spread to the bones or the lungs so we are having Xrays done this week. How should this cancer be treated moving forward? If it has spread to the lungs, are there any options? How likely is it that the tumor will come back? My vet didn't seem to know much about it which worries me even more. PLEASE HELP!
Feb. 27, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without knowing more about Dru, the actual location of the tumor, and the extent of tissue involvement, I am not the right person to answer these questions for you, unfortunately. Your veterinarians are researching the tumor, and will be able to give you better answers, as they have seen the tumor, did the surgery, and know more about any details that might affect the prognosis. i hope that all goes well for her.
Feb. 27, 2018
How did dru make out? We just found out our Westie has the same type of tumor.
June 28, 2018
Roe M.
Have a question have a golden retrevior he has infected hair follical on his head they tried to remove it surgically and now they say it might extend down deeper where it would get closer to his spine have you heard of this
Aug. 22, 2018
Chris L.
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Chihuahua
Curlyfry
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fatigue
My 3 yr. old chihuahua recently began to get real puffy around her eyes and her hair was raised in several places on her back, neck, and tail. I could tell that she was dehydrated and it was difficult to get her to her dish because her paws were painful to walk on, so I had her drink out of my cupped hand.
Well I ran my finger tips down her back and neck and a whole bunch of water pockets burst at the base of her hairs. I realized that her eyes were also swollen with this water at the root of her hair follicle. She would gag a tiny bit when I would gently pop these water filled hair roots and I could only assume she was recieving some of the water in her throat. None the less, she thoroughly enjoyed me running a combing or my finger nails through her hair because it gave her such relief.
I took her to a vet and her gave me a pill for stickfleas. ??? I never saw fleas but did look it up on google. The only thing I could think was that they were in her paws.
Anyways ibwaould have to pop these water pockets around her eyes and about every 3 hours or so because the inflammation would cause her to weaze. It sounded like The was struggling to get a breath.
This lasted about three days and then just disappeared but occasionally I’ll run into a Little water bubble atbher haircroot when i’m petting her.
Otherwise she is a very healthy happy dog , I was just searching for an answer to this. Please
Thank you
Sincerely
Tracy A. Figueroa
tracyann44@gmail.com
Jan. 25, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. It sounds like Curlyfry is getting better, and if your veterinarian had a high suspicion for stickfleas, and treated her with an appropriate medication, you should see continued improvement. Those fleas tend to occur with contact with poultry, so if she is around chickens or other birds, she needs to be on flea control for them. If she is not responding to the medication, she may need further treatment, and it would be best to have a follow up exam with your veterinarian to make sure that she gets the treatment that she needs.
Jan. 26, 2018
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Ollie
6 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
Hi. I have a 6 year old King Charles cavalier who has small lump on shoulder; feels like a hard pea just under skin. Needle aspiration completed by vet who has indicated it is a hair follicle tumour. The lump does not seem to cause any issue for my dog; he’s not in pain with it and it doesn’t hurt when touched and so vet deciding to leave it alone (My dog also has grade 2 MVD and coping well). My question is if left untreated, can it turn into anything more sinister than a benign tumour? Should I insist that it be removed?
Nov. 14, 2017
1 Recommendations
The vast majority of hair follicle tumours are benign and stay that way, the main issues with a wait and see approach is the the tumour may grow in size or may ulcerate, ooze or develop a secondary infection. If the mass is small and not causing an issue, you should keep an eye on it given the mitral valve disease (which isn’t a surprise in this breed). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 15, 2017
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Hair Follicle Tumors Average Cost
From 5 quotes ranging from $600 - $10,000
Average Cost
$8,000
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
