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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Mast cells are a cell population that '''originate in the bone marrow''' and mature in connective tissue.

[[Mast Cells|Mast cells]] are a cell population that '''originate in the bone marrow''' and mature in connective tissue.

Mast cell tumours are '''ubiquitous''' in domestic animal species. The tumours can be '''focal or multicentric in the skin''' and may occasionally involve '''internal viscera such as the spleen, liver and intestine'''.

Mast cell tumours are '''ubiquitous''' in domestic animal species. The tumours can be '''focal or multicentric in the skin''' and may occasionally involve '''internal viscera such as the spleen, liver and intestine'''.

==Canine mast cell tumours==

==Canine mast cell tumours==

Mast cell tumours are the '''most common cutaneous tumour in the dog''', primarily a disease of older dogs. Boxers, Labrador retrievers, beagles and schnauzers have reported to be predisposed.  

Mast cell tumours are the '''most common cutaneous tumour in the dog''', primarily a disease of older dogs. Boxers, Labrador Retrievers, Beagles and Schnauzers are reported to be predisposed.  

'''Boxers are more predisposed''', but generally develop the low or intermediate grade forms of the disease which have a more favourable prognosis.

'''Boxers are more predisposed''', but generally develop the low or intermediate grade forms of the disease which have a more favourable prognosis.

Mast cell tumours '''vary widely in appearance'''.

Mast cell tumours '''vary widely in appearance'''.

The most common gross appearance is a '''small, raised, well circumscribed mass''' that may be hyperaemic, alopecic, ulcerated or look like normal skin.  

The most common gross appearance is a '''small, raised, well circumscribed mass''' that may be hyperaemic, alopecic, ulcerated or look like normal skin. They may also appear as a '''poorly-defined, soft, fluctuant lesion'''. The tumours may become quite large, up to 30 cm, or may occur as a '''diffuse, inflamed, dermal thickening'''.

 

They may also appear as a '''poorly-defined, soft, fluctuant lesion'''.

 

They may become quite large, up to 30 cm, or may occur as a '''diffuse, inflamed, dermal thickening'''.

They are more commonly found on the '''caudal half of the body'''.  

They are more commonly found on the '''caudal half of the body'''.  

[[Category:Liver,_Secondary_Tumours]]

[[Category:Liver,_Secondary_Tumours]]

[[Category:Neoplasia]][[Category:To Do - Clinical]]

[[Category:Neoplasia]]