Mast cell tumors are the most commonly occurring skin tumor in dogs, comprising 16 to 21% of all skin tumors. [1] Breeds that are at increased risk for mast cell tumor (MCT) development include Boxers, pugs, Boston terriers, English bulldogs, Golden retriever, Labrador retrievers, Staffordshire terriers and beagles; male and female dogs have a similar risk of developing MCT.[1] Mast cells are a white blood cell that normally function as important mediators of immediate (type I) hypersensitivity. These cells arise from the bone marrow and normally reside in many tissues of the body, including the skin, liver, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract. Mast cells have numerous granules that contain bioactive substances such as heparin, histamine, proteases and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) which are important for development of an immune/allergic response after detection of an antigen. [2] While important in health, these bioactive substances can cause complications for dogs with MCT; these complicationsare reviewed at the end of the material presented here.
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