Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Treatment is either complete '''surgical excision''' of the mass or '''euthanasia'''. Euthanasia should be considered if the mass is not amenable to surgical resection or if the mass is preventing normal locomotion.

Treatment is either complete '''surgical excision''' of the mass or '''euthanasia'''.<br><br> '''Surgical removal:''' Remove the entire mass and collect regional lymph nodes to stage the disease. Unless the mass is ulcerated or suspected to be malignant, the skin overlying the tumour should not be removed. Ligate any blood vessels supplying the tumour and close the wound in a routine manner. Use a subcuticular suture pattern or skin staples because rodents frequently chew and may remove the sutures. An Elizabethan collar may be needed. Although metastasis is rare, radiographs should be performed prior to surgery. Common sites of metastasis are regional lymph nodes, abdominal viscera and the lungs<br> '''Euthanasia:''' Should be considered if the mass is not amenable to surgical resection or if the mass is preventing normal locomotion.

Prognosis is '''good''' with successful surgical excision, however it is common for the mass to '''recur''' either elsewhere or in the same location as the original mass. It is rare for the mass to become malignant. In comparison, mammary neoplasia in mice is frequently malignant, invasive and difficult to remove. It is associated with infection by the mouse mammary tumor virus. In guinea pigs, about 70% of the mammary gland tumors are benign fibroadenomas and 30% are mammary adenocarcinomas.  

==Prognosis==

==Control==

Prognosis is '''good''' with successful surgical excision, however it is common for the mass to '''recur''' either elsewhere or in the same location as the original mass. It is rare for the mass to become malignant.

The incidence of mammary neoplasia may be decreased by performing and ovariohysterectomy at a young age. This can be recommended to owners of female pet rats.  

==References==

==References==

Merck & Co (2009) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Ninth Edition), ''Merial''<br>

Merck & Co (2009) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Ninth Edition), ''Merial''<br>

Bond, Hendricks, Loeffler (2009) '''Veterinary Dermatology''' RVC Intergrated BVetMed Course, ''Royal Veterinary College''  

Bond, Hendricks, Loeffler (2009) '''Veterinary Dermatology''' RVC Intergrated BVetMed Course, ''Royal Veterinary College''  

[[Category:To Do - Siobhan Brade]]  

[[Category:To Do - Siobhan Brade]]  

[[Category:Neoplasia]]

[[Category:Neoplasia]]

[[Category:Mammary Gland - Pathology]]

[[Category:Mammary Gland - Pathology]]