Canine Histiocytoma (Button Cell Tumour) Symptoms and Treatments

Canine Histiocytoma (Button Cell Tumor) is a condition in which small benign tumors appear on the skin as red nodules, mostly occurring in dogs under about three years old, particularly on the head, ear flap and neck and less commonly on the abdomen. There appears to be no triggering causative factor although they are known to be round cell tumors and are easily differentiated from other neoplasms that commonly present.

The tumours can be ulcerative but are not painful, and appear to cause the dog no problems in terms of distress or itching.

Diagnosis is confirmed by fine needle aspiration of the tissue of the cell which will show the round cells under microscopic examination. However if the vet feels that aspiration might cause bleeding, diagnosis can be confirmed by excision of the tumors under controlled conditions.

There is no cure as such for histiocytoma, and the condition usually regresses in time. However if the tumours cause any problems such as getting caught in a collar or being traumatized if a dog scratches itself, or if the ulcerations are likely become infected with secondary bacterial infection then it or they should be removed surgically. Sometimes a traumatized tumors can be treated with antibiotic powder or cream but this should be discussed with the veterinary surgeon to get an expert evaluation of the extent of any treatment required.

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