Hi Dr. What kind of treatment for MCT at armpit of my Frenchie? Don’t want to do chemo as talking about amputation. Currently on Kenalog shot & pregnisone but hasn’t shrunk the tumour. In fact it is more enlarged and in pain. What should be done next? Was thinking about Stelfonta but not available in Canada. Your advice appreciated.
Aloha, and we're so sorry to hear about your dog. Mast cell tumors are known as "the great tricksters," because they can change so quickly -- one day they can be huge and the next shrink down. This is in part due to mast cells being in charge of histamine release in the body. That's a chemical that causes swelling, like when a hive pops up or nasal passages get swollen. Surgery is usually the first course of treatment for a mast cell tumor, and that's probably why your veterinarian is thinking about amputation, due to the location in your dog's armpit. Here's our article on mast cell tumors that goes over everything: www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/mast-cell-tumors-in-dogs/
