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Radical Mastectomy in Dogs
What is Radical Mastectomy?
Diagnosis of mammary tumors in female dogs is fairly common. Often times these tumors are benign. About 50% of diagnosed tumors are found to be malignant and require surgical removal. When a dog is diagnosed with mammary cancer, their surgical veterinarian or oncologist is often able to remove the dog’s mammary glands without the intrusive surgery humans require. If a radical mastectomy is necessary, all the mammary glands, as well as the surrounding lymph nodes, will be fully removed.
About 70% of mammary cancer diagnosed in female dogs are in dogs who were not spayed before their third heat cycle.
Radical Mastectomy Procedure in Dogs
Diagnosis starts at home with noticeable swollen mammary glands or a solid swollen mass. These masses could be as small as pea sized and will probably be hard to the touch and difficult to move under the skin. Some mammary masses could be larger, spreading across the abdomen. Because the diagnosis of tumor type is necessary, a biopsy will be performed by the veterinarian to determine if the tumors are malignant or benign. Depending on your veterinarian’s preference, a needle aspirate might be requested to diagnose and determine if the tumors are benign or malignant. Some veterinarians may perform the biopsy after surgery, depending on the aggressive behaviors of the tumors. A chest x-ray might also be needed to assist in determining the position and size of tumors. Moreover, a full panel Complete Blood Count (CBC) will help in diagnosing as well. A CBC will evaluate and measure the cells circulating in the dog’s blood.
Radical mastectomy involves the full removal of tumors and well as mammary tissue and the surrounding lymph nodes. Unlike the breast tissue in a human, mammary glands in dogs are just under the surface of their skin, not under the layers of muscles. For this surgery, the mammary tissue, as well as the skin covering the breast tissue and the four lymph nodes surrounding the mammaries, will all be removed.
Though radical mastectomy is a surgery requiring anesthesia and recovery time, it is not as invasive as mastectomy surgeries in humans. Because anesthesia will be necessary, the dog will have to fast before surgery, usually overnight. It will be imperative the dog be kept calm and quiet for a few days post surgery. A cone or very loose fitting T-shirt will help in keeping the dog from irritating the incisions. Suture removal is usually 10 to 14 days after surgery. At this point, the dog should be able to return to regular activity.
Some dogs, if not spayed already, will be spayed during surgery as well to assist in future tumor prevention.
Efficacy of Radical Mastectomy in Dogs
Prognosis after surgery will depend on a few factors. The age of the dog will be significant, as well as the size and scope of the tumors. Tumors that have not spread to the lymph nodes have a high chance of being eliminated entirely and benign tumor removal has a high recovery rate. Tumors which have spread to lymph nodes have a lower success rate, however. Over half of the dogs treated with a radical mastectomy fully recover.
With malignant tumors, early detection is a key factor to a successful radical mastectomy.
Your veterinarian or oncologist might require follow-up appointments every three months for X-rays and blood work to ensure the tumors are not returning.
There is no proven efficacy of chemotherapy or radiation in treating mammary tumors in dogs. Your veterinarian may recommend certain drugs before and after surgery.
Radical Mastectomy Recovery in Dogs
The dog will have to remain calm and relaxed post-surgery. Your veterinarian will prescribe medications based on your dog’s post-op condition. Your dog might be prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Be sure to follow all instructions on the medications as well doctor’s instructions for aftercare. Your dog should avoid extensive exercise and rest as much as possible for the first several days and possibly up to two weeks.
The veterinarian might recommend a cone to keep the dog from chewing and licking the sutures and surgical incisions. Be sure you return to your vet’s office if you see abnormal swelling and redness at the incision.
After about 10 to 14 days, your veterinarian will remove any remaining sutures and clear the dog for normal play. It is imperative you continue to check the area for any returning tumors or growths.
Cost of Radical Mastectomy in Dogs
Costs related to a radical mastectomy will vary from start to finish. Your vet will start with blood test and x-rays to determine a diagnosis, which will contribute to overall costs. The low end in the range radical mastectomy surgery alone is about $500. If your dog requires a specialist, such as an oncologist, these costs can increase to $5,000 to $9,000.
Some veterinarians may offer chemotherapy or radiation as a less expensive option. However, there is little data proving the effectiveness of this treatment in dogs.
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Dog Radical Mastectomy Considerations
The age of your dog will help determine the level of success a radical mastectomy might have; older dogs are at higher risk with a lower survival rate. Some dogs live years in remission. These dogs are usually young and healthy to begin with.
Early detection is key. If caught and treated early, mammary cancer is often curable.
The type, size, and spread of the tumors will affect how well your dog does after surgery.
Spaying your dog early, before their first heat cycle, offers the best method of prevention of mammary cancer and tumor growth. If a radical mastectomy is necessary and performed, consider spaying your dog during surgery to increase her odds of survival.
Radical Mastectomy Prevention in Dogs
Prevention early on is vital for healthy mammary cell growth. Spaying small dogs before their first heat cycle and spaying large breed dogs at least before their third heat cycle is the best prevention you can give you dog for a healthy, long life. With a well-documented link between hormones and mammary tumors, spaying early gives your female dog the best chance to never have tumor growth. With each cycle the dog goes through, her chances of developing mammary tumors increases.
A healthy diet and daily exercise are factors in creating a long and healthy life for your dog. However, the number one path to not having mammary tumors is to spay early in life.
Radical Mastectomy Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Siberian Husky
Sage
12 Years
13 found this helpful
13 found this helpful
We have a 12 or 13 year old Siberian Husky. She has been in our family for 2 1/2 years after being adopted from a Siberian rescue group. She is has arthritis but is otherwise in good health. She takes joint supplements and Rimadyl for her arthritis. About two years ago we discovered and had two mammary tumors removed. The biopsy was mammary endosarcoma :-( We have regular exams for lumps/tumors and she has had two follow-up surgeries for mammary tumors. She has had two of her mammary glands removed. We have discovered three small tumors found on two glands. Our vet has discussed removing the entire gland when the tumors are removed. We are discussing what the advantages and disadvantages would be with a complete/radical mastectomy with our vet and wonder if you can share your expert advise here... removal of two glands vs. all remaining glands removal. I worry about this extensive surgery with her age but also worry about her undergoing so many surgeries.
Is there any chemotherapy medication that would help with the reoccurrance of tumors? Your advice is appreciated...
July 29, 2018
13 Recommendations
Given the recurrence of mammary tumours in Sage it would be advisable to consider and go ahead with a radical mastectomy in an attempt to prevent any further surgery and anaesthesia cycles (especially taking into account her age) being required but this is not a guarantee; nothing is certain and you should discuss the particular type of tumour with your Veterinarian and options which may be available. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 30, 2018
again*
Aug. 1, 2018
Sage's Owner
Thank you for your advice... we will consult again with our vet. Sage is scheduled for surgery on 8/22. Thanks agin for your time and expertise.
Aug. 1, 2018
Sage's Owner
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Amstaff
BELLE
12 Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fast Growing Lump
VET NOTICED TINY GROWTHS ON MY PITT (11 years at that time) AND DID A MAMMARY GLAND BIOPSY LAST YEAR. TESTS CAME BACK AS NON-CANCEROUS, PROBABLE FIBROIDENOMA. THIS WEEK (2 weeks after her period) A LARGE HARD LUMP APPEARED WHERE BIOPSY WAS DONE. SHE IS ALSO LIMPING IN BACK ON SAME SIDE AS LUMP. OTHERWISE, EXTREMELY HEALTHY ACTIVE DOG.
CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. ANY INFORMATION (is she in pain?) WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
April 24, 2018
5 Recommendations
If Belle is limping, it is a good indication of pain; given the history of lumps (and the pain) you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination to be on the safe side. Without examining her myself I cannot say whether or not you should be concerned; but I would recommend getting Belle some pain relief at a minimum. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 25, 2018
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Jack Russell Terrier
Molly
7 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tumors
Hello,
my dog had several smaller lumps removed recently and the results came back as benign ("mammary gland adenoma"). However, new lumps keep appearing - they are very small - between 1-2mm. My vet told me that they are too small to be removed, but I am feeling very uneasy leaving the tumors to grow happily without doing anything about it. Also I am a little worried that if new tumours keep growing she'd have to undergo surgery everytime. This scares me a little. After reading this article I am wondering if RM would resolve the issue? I'm using the word "resolve" on purpose as I don't quite understand the bigger picture - logically one would think that if tumors grow on mammary glands and these are removed - they have nowhere to grow from. How can we confirm or rule out whether the tumors have spread out to lymph nodes?
April 22, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
A radical mastectomy is an intense surgical procedure, and the lumps that she has appearing may not grow or change. Without knowing more about Molly, it is difficult for me to comment on her condition, but if she has a few small growths, it may be okay to monitor them for growth, and have them taken off if they are growing, rather than subject her to a potentially painful procedure. 50% of mammary growths in dogs are benign, and 50% are not. If the tumors are small, the procedure to remove them is quite simple. I hope that she continues to do well.
April 22, 2018
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Cocker Spaniel
Fanny
11 Years
10 found this helpful
10 found this helpful
Hello,
My dog is 11 years old and we just find out she has two small lumps in two of her nipples. The vet says she needs surgery to remove them without being tested (if they are good or bad-cancer). The specialist suggested a mastectomy to be perform on her. They did xrays on her and it doesn't show it has spread to her lungs or hearth. I am concern because she is 11 years old and not sure how much more she has to live. Is it worth it>? I will pay whatever it is for her to be healthy, but just thinking about her age and from what I am reading it only gives them another 6 months to 12 months to live. Is this accurate?
Jan. 18, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
10 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without knowing more about Fanny, I am not sure how to comment on her situation. Mammary tumors can be benign, or malignant, and unfortunately until they are removed and biopsied, one doesn't know which type the lumps might be. If she had clear x-rays and is in good health otherwise, it would be a good idea to have the surgery and find out what type of tumor you are dealing with - it might be better news than you had hoped. If the tumors are benign and removed early, they may not cause problems later on, although she may develop further tumors that need to be removed. I hope that she does well.
Jan. 18, 2018
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Shitzu mix
Lily
11 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
As Mentioned
So my dog has several smallish growths,in clusters on her teats- and a grape sized singular growth at the lowest right side.This was noticed over the past year; the largest one only beginning to present itself as larger over the past few weeks.She is eleven years old.Lily the shitzu.Would it be curative to embark on this surgical approach.What is the most direct approach to assessing potential metastasis? She runs well- not out of breath.She eats well.She does limp on the the same side rear leg as where that larger lump is located.Could it have gone to her bone(s)?
Thank you for your attention hereafter.
Karen
Dec. 7, 2017
0 Recommendations
Given Lily’s age and your concerns, a radical mastectomy which includes all glands and regional lymph nodes; you should speak with your Veterinarian about the severity and your options surgically to see if a radical mastectomy is required. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 7, 2017
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