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Non-Healing Sore Near Mammary Tumors: Is It Inflammatory Carcinoma?

by Lynn

Reader Question
My little terrier mix (9 lb) was diagnosed with breast cancer involving several mammary glands and has had surgery on two of them. She was spayed at the same time. We've only had her five months and she'd never been spayed, although she's estimated to be 9 to 11 years old. At the same time, she developed a sore under her front leg that won't heal. At first it was scabby, but now it's pink and sometimes bleeds. Three vets have looked at it, and while they can't rule out inflammatory cancer, they don't think it's breast tissue. X-rays 3 weeks ago showed her lungs and other organs were clear, which is why we went ahead with surgery. She's due for two more surgeries, including the gland right near the sore. The sore is about the size of a quarter, isn't improving despite antibiotics, and seems to itch and hurt. Her appetite hasn't been great during recovery and she's lost some weight. I don't want to put her through more surgery if this is an aggressive inflammatory cancer. Could it be inflammatory cancer, and if not, why isn't it healing?


Answer from Our Team

Multiple mammary tumors are common in dogs that weren't spayed young, and spaying at the time of surgery, as you did, may help some dogs with hormone-sensitive tumors.

Inflammatory mammary carcinoma usually behaves differently from what you describe. It typically causes widespread red, thickened, hot and painful skin over the mammary glands, often on both sides, and it progresses very quickly. Most affected dogs already have spread to the lymph nodes at diagnosis, and survival is often only weeks. A single quarter-size sore that has changed over several weeks, with clear X-rays, doesn't fit that pattern well. Still, only a biopsy can say for sure.

Sores that won't heal can have many causes: a skin tumor, a different kind of growth, a resistant infection or constant licking and scratching. Before the next surgery, ask your vet whether the sore can be biopsied, or removed and tested during the operation, so you know what you're dealing with. Her poor appetite and weight loss are worth mentioning too, since they can affect how she recovers.

See mammary tumors in dogs and skin cancer in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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