enlarged nipple redux

[amity150]

I wanted to follow up on the question about the enlarged nipple.  My own vet reassured me that it was probably minor trauma or just a benign tumor, and suggested just to monitor it.  But I was uneasy and wanted a second opinion and got a good one here.  Your online vet emphatically encouraged me to have it removed and biopsied.

I got the pathology results today, and it was indeed a small cell lymphosarcoma!  WITH clear borders, thanks to you!  Hopefully that means it has gone for good.  

But I have to keep an eye out for any recurrence, so I am wondering what more you can tell me about this type of cancer, i.e. is it specifically a mammary cancer, or does it occur anywhere, and this time just happened to be on a nipple?  What should I look for if it presents somewhere else?  

At any rate, thank you so much, you have saved my dog's life.  

[amity150]

Of course that was supposed to be *MASS* examined!  Me and my typos.  How embarrassing.  

[amity150]

Okay, will do that.  My regular vet is an integrative practitioner, and she does not treat cancer, and I imagine would not stage it or anything else either.  I have an appointment with a veterinary oncologist.  All that path report said was:

"Description:  *** examined was excised from the nipple of a mammary gland.  Section of mammary gland in the area of the nipple contains a pedunculated mass of neoplastic cells within the dermis.  Cells are small and round in shape with small amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm.  Nuclei are round in shape with coarsely clumped chromatin and an  indistinct nucleolus.  Small numbers of mitotic figures are present.  Neoplastic cells invade both surface and hair follicle epithelium.  Excision appears complete.  
Histopathologic diagnosis:  Lymphosarcoma, small cell.  
Comment:  The mass consists of neoplastic lympohcytes with evidence of epitheleal invasion suggestive of T-cell origin. "

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Thank you so much for the kind words.  I am really delighted that I was able to help!

I am glad that a diagnosis was made and I sincerely hope that there is a good prognosis.

Lymphosarcoma is not specifically a mammary cancer.  It is a cancer of white blood cells.  It is classified by grade types,  location and whether it is derived from B-lymphocytes or T-lymphocytes.  Lymphosarcoma of the skin is relatively rare.

You did not mention any staging of the cancer so I assume that this was not performed.  Please ask you vet if staging would be appropriate.  Staging may help to give a more useful idea of prognosis and may help to determine if chemotherapy should be considered.  Proximate lymph nodes may have to be biopsied to stage the cancer.