Lipoma and Liposarcoma in the Dog: Fatty Tumors
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: May 15th, 2024
Summary
Is that soft squishy lump on your dog something to worry about? It depends.
Many times dog lovers will arrive in my hospital and point out that their canine companion has a bump. They are soft, kind of like very firm jello. “Doesn’t seem to be causing any pain,” they say.
Hmmm. Well, it could be a “fatty” tumor. This is simply a tumor made out of fat. Yes, a big glob of fat, the same stuff that makes us chubby.
Some clients have used natural means to help their dogs with these tumors. I have had my clients say they have had luck with curcumin given by mouth. Curcumin is a part of the spice turmeric. In The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, I wrote about this bioflavonoid. It can be purchased as an ingredient in Apocaps, and also by itself as a sole agent.
Many dog lovers have heard of fatty tumors, and have been told by their vets that there is nothing to worry about. And many times, they are right.
Not every time, though.
Some Fatty Tumors Are Cancers
Here’s why: first of all, not every soft tumor is a “fatty” tumor. Remember mast cell tumors, the Great Imitators? Some mast cell tumors are aggressive, life-threatening cancers. And they can feel just like a benign fatty tumor.
Your vet can differentiate between a fatty tumor and a mast cell tumor with a simple fine needle aspirate. This is an easy outpatient procedure where the vet takes a sample with a needle and sends it to a pathologist. Many of us will review the slide right in house.
Another soft gushy tumor, especially on the limbs, in called a hemangiopericytoma. This is an unfriendly tumor, folks.
Because two dangerous tumors can look like fatty tumors (lipomas) I recommend that all such tumors get aspirated.
Some Fatty Tumors Are Dangerous In Other Ways
Secondly, not every tumor made out of fat is truly benign. Most are, and they are called lipomas. However, a small portion of them grow aggressively. They invade surrounding tissue. They often grow fairly quickly, over months, and expand. These fast growing lipomas have crossed the line and become what are called liposarcomas.
Get the Dog Cancer Survival Guide to learn more on how veterinarians diagnose and stage cancer in Chapter 9
The reason it matters is that they can become quite large. And you remove them and they will often regrow, since they are difficult to remove. You think you got ’em, and they come back.
Liposarcomas are not good news. So again, if you have a rapidly growing, fatty tumor, get it out. You might be dealing with a liposarcoma, and they can be tough. Have the vet biopsy the edge, and make sure they include adjacent muscle, or the path folks may complain they don’t have enough data to make a call.
Best to all,
Dr Dressler
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
My 18 month old rescue ‘puppy’ (of mixed breed) has had a lump on her back leg, near her butt, for a few weeks. It started out as a soft, jelly like lump, but then one night I felt it and it was hard. The next day it was soft again, then last night it went hard again – really knobbly and it felt like there was a long thin ‘lump’ shooting down the leg. This morning it was soft again! Should I be worried?
Dear Helen
please bring your dog to the vet and have the lump checked
Dr D
I have a 13 yr. old bichon poo and i have noticed a lump on the top of his stomache and it has grown over the past couple months it is soft but after reading up on it im very concered i am going to bring him to the vet but they arnt always right when giving suggestions about what measures to take. I noticed this page said some owners use all natural remedies and that totally interest me im wondering what they are he was nudderd as a puppy.if someone could email me some of those suggestions that would be greatly appreciated . thank you so much . Christine
Hi Dr
Hope you’re well.
I have a Boston terrier furbaby who will be 9 this July.
He has developed lumps over a period of a year and since the number has increased, his vet said that we should take all of them out and find out if these are just fatty lumps or otherwise. I asked if he could aspirate them to find out but he said that that would not clearly give me an answer.
I am a little hesitant of the operation as he is now almost 9 and fear the anesthesia.
Why cant they aspirate?
Your advise is much much appreciated.
Shar
Dear Shar,
I do not know why the hesitancy to check the masses with a fine needle aspirate. Some growths (like adenomas) do not require fine needle aspirates as their appearance is so typical we can be almost 100% sure they are benign…but the vast, vast majority of growths in a senior dog should be checked and/or removed. Why don’t you ask the vet to clarify so you understand?
D
Dr. D.
I have an Alaskan Husky who will soon turn 13. Several months ago she was diagnosed with a benign (biopsied) fatty tumor in her abdominal cavity. Additionally, the tumor is inoperable since it is attached to the inside abdominal wall and it would require a mesh replacement. Given her age and breed, the vet and the surgeon have recommended she not have the surgery. However, the tumor is continuing to grow and is now larger than a grapefruit and causing her some discomfort when she lays on that side. Her only other medical issue is that she has elevated liver enzymes. We’ve been giving her Denamarin (SAM-e and Milk Thistle) but her counts haven’t been dropping much. Is there anything else I can give her to help reduce the size of the tumor, particularly from a homepathic perspective? I noticed the mention of curcumin, but is that more for malignant tumors? The only advice I’ve been given from a canine dietician is a raw diet but my vet isn’t too keen on that idea. Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
-Sandy and Ruby (aka Miss Ruby Doo)
Dear Sandy,
sorry to hear about your Husky. These can be tough. My favorite curcumin containing supplement is apocaps, and you should have the liver enzymes monitored with either apopcaps or curcumin by itself. These are not for malignancies only. There is a free diet download on the top of this page that I would recommend you read. Some have success with Neoplasene. Not impressed with homeopathic remedies (in the traditional sense of the word) for fatty tumors (lipomas, liposarcomas, or infiltrative lipomas). The Guide has comprehensive info on these topics…please use veterinary supervision for each step.
I hope this helps
D
My 16 year old sheltie/terrier mix dog has had a fatty tumor for several years and I never had it operated on because I figured at 9 she was too old to do it. She has been fine with it until recentley it started leaking. It was just a little bit before and now it is so much more that the first time I saw it I thought she had peed on the couch. Is this a bad sign? what can I do to help her? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.
Dear Sharon,
the first step is to see if it is really a benign growth. If so, surgery is the best option. I often operate on dogs of this age without problems. Non-surgical options include apocaps that contain curcumin, neoplasene, and of course diet (free download above) and immune support. Above all, please have this checked and discuss treatment with the veterinarian.
Best,
Dr D
I am really confused and concerned right now. I have a 9 1/2 PItt/shepard mix, I took him to the vet because I was really concerned with the multiple tumors he has all over him. There are more that grow within a week time frame. I was told by the vet after palpation that my dog was too heavy and I had nothing to worry about that they were just fatty tumors. I have now noticed that he is really itching behind his left front shoulder and I looked today and there are flat (not scaly) black spots all over him with flaky skin around them (not on them). There are no scabs and they are everywhere! I have noticed as well that on his belly, and legs that his fur is thinning drastically. Could this by chance be a progressive form of skin cancer? I am really concerned because yes he has lost a considerable amount of weight and there are days that he goes without eating and then all of a sudden he is starving. I need help and the vet doesn’t seem to be much help.
Dear Rebecca,
the good news is there are lots of other causes of skin crusts- allergies, bacterial or fungal infection, mites/mange, etc…get it checked out again. Nothing wrong with a second opinion if you need one.
Best
Dr D
Dear Dr. Dressler:
Dear Dr. Dressler:
I have a 10 yr. old black neutered labradoodle from Australia . He has increasing numbers of tumors which feel like lipomas. These began to appear about 2 yrs ago and are widely scattered with some small clusters of 2-3. I am palpating these growths regularly, but I don’t feel confident I could pick up a conversion to liposarcoma. There are about 20 tumors now and my vet feels that , in this situation , biopsy would be tedious and unproductive with no one suspicious site.
I think this is appropriate, but would like comments from a canine cancer pro.
Dr. D.
My middle aged lab cross developed a mass in the summer and I took him to the vet. They did a fine needle asparation and it was sent off to the lab and results came back and it was not cancerous. The vet told me it was a lipoma (fatty mass). She suggested a watch and wait approach to see if the size increased. She suggested to not remove it unless it was restricting his movement. Well now it has grown to about the size of a basketball and he is having trouble going up and down stairs. My vet again did a fine needle aspiration and it still came back as just fat cells. I am taking my pup ti see a surgeon this week because our regular vet isn’t comfortable doing the surgery as she said the mass has grown into his “armpit” and she is concerned about the nerves. I am planning on having the lipoma removed. I am wondering if you have any suggestions for post post-surgery care to keep my boy happy and healthy. Diet? Lifestyle? Suppliments? Fingers crossed it doesn’t grow back. I am going to ask the surgeon to do a biopsy to see if it is cancerous or not just to be sure. Any advise you could provide would be helpful.
Thanks
Jillian
& Justice *woof*
Dear Jillian
these are odd but common growths that seem to have a genetic basis. The truth is we don’t have a really effective preventative. I’ve seen some improvement with Apocaps but not every time, and some guardians say the Budwig diet helps (altough I am not really convinced of this 100%). Keeping them lean is good, and the dog cancer diet would be a thought to discuss with your vet along with these other ideas.
Best
Dr D
I have a 10 yr. old black neutered labradoodle from Australia . He has increasing numbers of tumors which feel like lipomas. These began to appear about 2 yrs ago and are widely scattered with some small clusters of 2-3. I am palpating these growths regularly, but I don’t feel confident I could pick up a conversion to liposarcoma. There are about 20 tumors now and my vet feels that , in this situation , biopsy would be tedious and unproductive with no one suspicious site.
I think this is appropriate, but would like comments from a canine cancer pro.
Also, can you not share my email address with the public. Mahalo nui loa. RS
Dear Randall-
my take on it is check them to make sure they are fat. Fine needle aspirate is simple, easy, and can at least confirm fat. Palpation on the other hand, cannot do it reliably:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/not-all-soft-lumps-are-lipomas/
true, they all might be fat…in which case all you have to do is keep feeling them and measure them…and if they grow then remove them later.
D
Hi All,
I want to share my current situation and plans with you all….
Chelsea, my 7 year old beagle mix (maybe with Spring Spaniel) has a lump on her rump. The oncologist said it seems to be liposarcoma. Chelsea has some trouble pooping. We are opting to forgo expensive surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. It seems these options could be painful for her, and only extend her life for a short while. We will give her low-bulking foods, stool softeners and lots of love. I will now begin my journey into holistic treatments for canine cancer.
My 8 1/2 yr old corgi, Phoebe was dx with liposarcoma in her tongue! It was found when she has surgery 12/23 to repair bialteral CCL’s. The surgeon said he can’t do a wide excision 2nd to location of tumor area. My vet recommended an oncologist, which I am very reluctant to do. She had a SCC in her groin 2 years ago that was 100% removed with wide excision and no recurrance. Unfortunately I am limited financially. My surgeon couldn’t/wouldn’t give any “prognosis.” Any thoughts?
Thanks, Anne
Dear Anne
aside from the dog cancer diet, combination apoptogens, immune support, antimetastatics (all in the Guide), you cold consider Neoplasene injectable under sedation (discuss this with your vet) as a salvage procedure that might be what you are looking for…I hope this helps
Best
Dr D
Dear Dr. Dressler,
My almost 14 year old Lab has had a fatty tumor on his rear leg for many years. My Vet checked it out years ago and said it was not cancerous. In the past 2 weeks my dog has lost his hair around the lump and the lump has turned very red and looks sore but it does not appear to bother my dog. Took my dog into the Vet and he wants to remove the tumor within 2 months and said the tumor will rupture within 6 – 8 months. I am very worried of surgery due to my dog’s age. What happens if the tumor ruptures? Would you go through with the surgery? Any ideas or suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much.
Dear Colin
I believe under these conditions I cannot disagree with your vet’s recommendations since he/she has hands on the dog.
Good luck
Dr D