While all dogs of any age can develop a mast cell tumor, it seems there are some dogs that have a predisposition to them.
Breeds that have a higher risk include:
- Boxers
- Bull Dogs
- Bullmastiffs
- Boston Terriers
- Ridgebacks
- Pugs
- Labradors
- Beagles
- Basset Hounds
- Golden Retrievers (this is shocking as I have trained many guide dogs and never heard this before)
The mast cell tumor dogs usually develop are often later in life. Generally, the dog will not show signs or symptoms of mast cell tumors until around 8 years of age.
Staging of Canine Mast Cell Tumors
Dogs are staged in much the same way humans are staged with cancer. It starts with 0 and goes up to stage 4.
- Stage 0: One tumor in the skin incompletely removed, with no lymph node involvement.
- Stage I: One tumor in the skin, with no lymph node involvement.
- Stage II: One tumor in the skin with lymph node involvement
- Stage III: Multiple large, deep skin tumors, with or without lymph node involvement
- Stage IV: One or more tumors with metastasis in the skin with lymph node involvement. This stage is subdivided into those that have no other signs (substage a) and those that do have some other clinical signs (substage b).
For more information on Canine Mast Cell Tumor check out the Canine Mast Cell Tumor page.
