What to Expect with Lump Removal Surgery
Overview
A lump has been located on your pet, and we have recommended surgery as part of the treatment plan.
The goals of surgery are to:
- Surgically remove the lump to achieve a cure;
- Remove all visible portions of the lump;
- Identify the mass to determine a comprehensive treatment plan;
- Form part of a multimodal approach alongside radiation or chemotherapy.
Factors That Affect the Ability to Achieve a Cure
Tumour Type
- Benign vs. malignant
- Histological grade if malignant; for example, a higher grade malignancy typically indicates a poorer prognosis
- Essential information for appropriate treatment planning:
- Occasionally, a cytological or histological diagnosis will be required prior to treatment to determine the extent of surgery and treatment needed.
Tumour Behaviour
- The tumour has infiltrated the surrounding tissue
- The tumour has infiltrated the local lymph nodes
- The tumour has infiltrated other organs
Tumour Location
- On the body where there is a large amount of skin vs. on the limb where there is limited skin
Surgery Preparation
At some point during your pet's life, surgery may be indicated, whether for lump removal, desexing, dental procedures, or due to illness. Regardless of the reason, there are always risks associated with general anaesthesia or surgery, so good preparation is essential to help reduce the chance of complications.
Pre-surgical preparation involves:
- A full physical examination
- Pre-anaesthetic blood work to ensure there are no underlying diseases
- Up-to-date vaccinations and worming
- Medications
- Food should be withheld from the night before or at least 4-6 hours before surgery—access to water is fine.
Getting your pet ready for surgery is a straightforward process but can still be daunting for many pet owners. Here are some guidelines to ensure your pet is prepared for their day at the clinic.
No Food
Your pet must have an empty stomach before the scheduled anaesthetic. Please do not feed your pet after 10 pm the night before. Water is fine.
Exceptions:
Pets under 3 months of age may be offered a small amount of food on the day of surgery to ensure blood sugar levels are maintained.
Toileting
Please take your pet to the toilet prior to admission. This will reduce the chance of soiling themselves during surgery and recovery.
Grooming
Please avoid swimming or playing in the dirt on the day before surgery. This will help lower the risk of introducing bacteria. Where possible, brush or bathe your pet beforehand.
Medications
If your pet is currently on medications, please inform us so that we can advise you on when to administer them. Some medications, such as insulin or heart medications, must be maintained.
Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Work
Pre-anaesthetic blood work can help us determine if there are any pre-existing illnesses. These tests check for parameters that may not be easily detected during a physical examination, such as anaemia, dehydration, liver, or kidney disease. Based on the test results, the anaesthetic can be modified to best suit your pet.
These blood tests check:
- Blood cell counts
- Kidney and liver function
- Blood sugar levels
- Protein levels
Surgery
Surgery is performed in a sterile manner to protect normal tissues from tumour cell contamination. We use large surgical drapes, lavage, gloves, and change instruments as required. The mass is minimally handled to reduce trauma.
Where possible, the lump will be removed in its entirety with clean margins, both wide (at least 2 cm margins around the mass) and deep where necessary.
In cases where complete removal cannot be achieved, the majority of the lump will be excised, and samples will be sent away for pathology to determine the next steps. If local lymph node involvement is suspected, a biopsy will be recommended.
Pathology
Pathology is recommended to help:
- Diagnose the tumour type and degree of malignancy
- Determine if a complete excision has been achieved
Samples of the mass and skin margins can be sent to an external laboratory. Pathology tests incur additional charges. Unfortunately, not all surgical margins of every mass can be submitted, as it takes considerable time and can be prohibitively expensive.
If you agree to pathology, we will advise you of the samples that should be submitted and provide an estimate before sending the samples to the laboratory.
Understandably, you may be nervous about surgery for your pet. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions to help put your mind at ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens During Surgery?
Your beloved companion is in the safest hands. All surgical areas are completely sterile, and all lump removal procedures adhere to the highest industry standards. The lump is minimally handled to reduce trauma.
Where possible, the lump will be removed in its entirety. In cases where this cannot be achieved, the majority of the lump will be excised, and samples will be sent for pathology to determine the next steps.
Will the Lump Grow Back?
Some lumps can grow back. As with all lump removal surgeries, we recommend you keep a close eye on the area afterward and inform us if you notice any further changes.
How Can We Tell if the Lump is Cancerous?
Samples of the lump and skin margins can be sent to an external laboratory for further analysis.
Pathology is recommended to help:
- Diagnose the tumour type and degree of malignancy
- Determine if complete surgical removal has been achieved
Results are typically received within a week.
What If the Lump is Malignant?
If you receive the unfortunate news of a malignant diagnosis, please take heart in the fact that there are many cancer therapies available today.
Depending on the type of tumour, a tailored cancer management plan will be discussed with you. With an earlier diagnosis, there is a higher chance of a successful recovery.
Home Care
Your pet will be allowed to go home once they have fully recovered from the general anaesthesia and their pain is under control. We will notify you when your pet is ready and will provide you with detailed discharge instructions on how to care for your pet at home. Your pet will require rest for the first 10-14 days and will likely have stitches that will require daily monitoring and removal around 14 days post-surgery.
Important Reminders
Keep a close eye on the surgical site for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge. If you notice any concerning changes, please contact us immediately.
References
1. Smith, J. et al. (2023). "Current Approaches to Tumour Management in Veterinary Medicine." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
2. Brown, L. et al. (2024). "Advancements in Surgical Techniques for Tumour Removal." Veterinary Surgery Journal.
3. Johnson, R. et al. (2025). "Understanding Tumour Biology in Pets: Implications for Treatment." Journal of Small Animal Practice.