There are many types of pet surgery. They range from neutering for the first time in life to major heart surgery. Among them, I would like to introduce mammary gland tumor, one of the diseases that increase in incidence when neutering is not performed. Female cats and dogs produce estrogen and progesterone from their ovaries, and mammary gland tumors are a disease caused by these hormones. A mammary gland tumor literally means a lump-like tumor in the mammary gland around the nipple of a companion animal. It is a disease that occurs more often in dogs than in cats, and in females than males.
Mammary tumors are divided into malignant, benign and inflammatory. In the case of malignancy, the risk of metastasis is very high compared to other tumors. The size is also larger than other tumors, and the surface is uneven and there is a feeling of heat. Cats have a low incidence, but a very high risk of malignancy at regarding 90%. Although it looks benign in appearance, it is very common to be malignant when biopsied. In comparison, dogs have a 30-50% chance of being malignant, which is lower than that of cats. Inflammation causes the tumor boundaries to be unclear and painful. In addition, the surgical prognosis is not good due to skin ulceration.
Mammary tumors are often discovered during cosmetic procedures and can be detected relatively easily because they appear so well that they can be detected during a physical examination. In the beginning, it is the size of a millet or pea, but it gets bigger as time goes on. If you feel a foreign body like a lump when you touch your child’s chest, you must suspect a mammary gland tumor. In some cases, it is a common borderline tumor, but if it is located around the nipples and on the abdomen, it is much more likely to be a mammary tumor.
When a mammary gland tumor is identified and surgery is performed, first, blood tests are performed to confirm the safety of anesthesia and surgery, and the condition of the tumor is closely monitored through radiographs, etc. This is because the method of mammary tumor removal surgery varies depending on the location and number of tumors. If the tumor is only on the right or left side, unilateral removal surgery is performed. If it is the first nipple from the head, the tumor around the 3rd, 4th, and 5th nipples can be partially removed with a 6-minute surgery. The 6-minute removal surgery has a shorter operation time than the general surgical method, so it is relatively less burdensome for the child and quicker recovery.
Mammary tumors are a disease for which early prevention and detection are important. The best prevention is neutering surgery. If neutering is performed before the first estrus, the incidence of mammary gland tumors is significantly lowered to 0.05%. Studies have also reported that the later the neutering is done, the higher the incidence rate is. For lifelong family companion animals that should not be sick, be sure to perform neutering surgery, and if you suspect a mammary gland tumor, do not delay and visit a veterinary hospital.
(Writing: Beom-ro Lee, Director, Daru Animal Hospital)
