Lipoma and Liposarcoma in the Dog: Fatty Tumors
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: May 15th, 2024
Summary
Is that soft squishy lump on your dog something to worry about? It depends.
Many times dog lovers will arrive in my hospital and point out that their canine companion has a bump. They are soft, kind of like very firm jello. “Doesn’t seem to be causing any pain,” they say.
Hmmm. Well, it could be a “fatty” tumor. This is simply a tumor made out of fat. Yes, a big glob of fat, the same stuff that makes us chubby.
Some clients have used natural means to help their dogs with these tumors. I have had my clients say they have had luck with curcumin given by mouth. Curcumin is a part of the spice turmeric. In The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, I wrote about this bioflavonoid. It can be purchased as an ingredient in Apocaps, and also by itself as a sole agent.
Many dog lovers have heard of fatty tumors, and have been told by their vets that there is nothing to worry about. And many times, they are right.
Not every time, though.
Some Fatty Tumors Are Cancers
Here’s why: first of all, not every soft tumor is a “fatty” tumor. Remember mast cell tumors, the Great Imitators? Some mast cell tumors are aggressive, life-threatening cancers. And they can feel just like a benign fatty tumor.
Your vet can differentiate between a fatty tumor and a mast cell tumor with a simple fine needle aspirate. This is an easy outpatient procedure where the vet takes a sample with a needle and sends it to a pathologist. Many of us will review the slide right in house.
Another soft gushy tumor, especially on the limbs, in called a hemangiopericytoma. This is an unfriendly tumor, folks.
Because two dangerous tumors can look like fatty tumors (lipomas) I recommend that all such tumors get aspirated.
Some Fatty Tumors Are Dangerous In Other Ways
Secondly, not every tumor made out of fat is truly benign. Most are, and they are called lipomas. However, a small portion of them grow aggressively. They invade surrounding tissue. They often grow fairly quickly, over months, and expand. These fast growing lipomas have crossed the line and become what are called liposarcomas.
Get the Dog Cancer Survival Guide to learn more on how veterinarians diagnose and stage cancer in Chapter 9
The reason it matters is that they can become quite large. And you remove them and they will often regrow, since they are difficult to remove. You think you got ’em, and they come back.
Liposarcomas are not good news. So again, if you have a rapidly growing, fatty tumor, get it out. You might be dealing with a liposarcoma, and they can be tough. Have the vet biopsy the edge, and make sure they include adjacent muscle, or the path folks may complain they don’t have enough data to make a call.
Best to all,
Dr Dressler
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Dr. Dressler…..
My 5 y/o Female Border Collie 40 lbs …..just recently had a 1.9 lb infiltrated lipoma removed from her abdominal cavity. August 29th.
Radiation therapy was recommended.
Currently I am using 2 tablets a day of Super Bio-Curcumin by Life Extension. She is also eating Wysong Epigen and Canned Wysong Raw Chicken. Plus Pro-Biotics and Choline my Natures’s Farmacy.
I looking at Apocaps …….. and wondering if this product would work as a preventive to this type of tumor returning?
Thank You….
John J
CASTER OIL*******I have a 10 year old female schnazuer that was diagnosed with liposarcoma when they operated last August. They orginally thought it was a hernia near her rear, but in surgey found to be a mass. (cancerous) She did very well for about 8 months until it started coming back after one time of having a hard time to go to the bathroom, and now is rapidly growing in the past 3 months. I have heard of a lot of stories about putting caster oil on dogs with different lumps. Has anybody tried this with a liposarcoma?? There are multiple ones around her hind leg and rear side about the size of a golf ball. She is such a happy and energetic dog, IM VERY NERVOUS IT IS GOING RUPTURE BUT I HATE TO PUT HER DOWN WHEN SHES NOT SICK AT ALL!!! ANy thoughts people?? I am beside myself with her, I have had her since I was 15!!!
Dear Kellie,
Castor oil is an old home remedy. i have heard an occasional story about it shrinking some growths, although I hesitate to say it is the cure for cancer.
Have you read the Guide? Dog cancer diet? Apoptogens? Neoplasene? Immune stimulants? Antimetastatics? These are all strategies that have helped dogs with cancer and it might be worthwhile checking into these science-backed methods…
You can search for these in the blog and more in the Guide.
I hope this helps
D
Hi,
I just wanted to ask about my 6 year old pug’s fatty tumor. Its been 3 years since he had it and this soft reddish lump didnt hurt or bother him. In fact, it got flatten just now, is that dangerous? just want to get a second opinion if this is alarming or not. Our local vet said its nothing to worry. Please help me, thanks in advance
Dear Tiffany,
since one in 3 dogs gets cancer, I advise checking every lump to be safe with at least a fine needle aspirate…
D
My dog has many fatty lumps, many of which have got bigger. The vets have said they are not cancerous but now I’m not sure. My dog now drat he’s a lot and drinks lots. Can you advise me what to do .
Dear Shelley,
as usual, it is sensible wisdom to get the lumps tested with a fine needle aspirate or biopsy. Maybe a second opinion??
Best
Dr D
HERE IS THE TRUTH AND DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENT: IF YOU FIND ANY LUMP THAT IS GROWING ON YOUR PET. iMMEDIATELY GET IT REMOVED PERIOD. DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENT OF YOUR BELOVED PET WILL DIE??? LIPOMAS DO NOT GO AWAY THEY GROW. WHEN THEY GROW THEY WILL NOT BE REMOVED COMPLETELY. i LOST MY FIRST WOLF MIX TO A LUMP THAT i WAS TOLD TO WAIT AND SEE AND FINALLY WHEN THEY DECIDED TO REMOVE IT, IT CAME BACK AND BACK AND FINALLY HAD TO PUT HER TO SLEEP WHEN IT CAME BACK AND CRIPPLED HER. MY WOLF SHADOW IS 5 YEARS OLD,, A SMALL LUMP THEY REFUSED TO REMOVE DUE TO DIABETES AND WEIGHT FINALLY REMOVED AND WAS OVER 15 POUNDS. OF COURSE ITS BACK, BECAUSE NOT REMOVED COMPLETELY AND 9 VETS REFUSE TO DO A DAMN THING. THEY SAY LIPOMA IS NOT LIFE THREATENING. BULL SHIT. MY BABY IS SUFFERING AND DUE TO THE LIPOMA CAUSING HER DIABETES TO NOT BE MANGED, STRESS INDUCES INFLMATION AND THE LIPOMA CAUSING HER TO LOOK GROSSLY OBESE, THEY SAID SHE WAS TOO MUCH A RISK FOR SURGER WHICH IS WHAT I HEARD THE FIRST TIME AS I WATCHED HER HEALTH DETERRIORATE UNTIL FINALLY DEMANDED THEY DO SOMETHING. FOR THE 2 MONTHS IT WAS GONE SHE WAS A NEW DOG, DIABETES CONTROLLED WEIGHT DOWN TO ALMOST NORMAL. NO INFLAMMATION, ETC. WHEN SHE STARTED TELLING ME ITS BACK AND LIMPING ON HER FRONT PAW I HAVE SPENT OVER 3,000 TRYING TO GET RID OF THE DAMN THING WITH THESE IGNORANT VETS STATING SURERGY TOO RISKY DESPITE HER PAST HISTORY OF BEING NEAR DEATH FROM THE DAMN THING THEN BECOMING A HEALTHY HAPPY PUP. NOW $4,000 LATER, THERE IS NO WAY SURGERY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL SO MY LAST CHANCE IS TRYING TO BUY A DRUG THAT WAS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND ADMINISTERING IT MYSELF AS THE CHRONIC INFLAMMATION IS NOT GOING AWAY, AND SHE IS IN PAIN, RAPIDLY GETTING WORSE AND WILL SUFFER UNTIL SHE DIES FROM THIS DAMN THING AND I HAVE A CHOICE OF TREATING HER MYSELF WITH AN EXPERIMENTAL DRUG OR WATCHING HER SUFFER AND FINALLY DIE. IN THE MEANTIME, I HAVE SPENT ALL MY SAVINGS, RACKED UP THOUSANDS IN CREDIT CARD BILLS AND MY HEALTH IS BEYOND REPAIR AS I WAS TO GET SURGERY FOR A CHRONIC ILLNESS THAT IS RAPIDLY CAUSING MY HEALTH TO DETERROIRATE AND WILL NOT DO A DAMN THING UNTIL MY BABY IS SAFELY OUT OF DANGER. AND DID I MENTION SHE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND A SERVICE DOG WHO WITHOUT HER HELP, CAUSES ME TO BE HOMEBOUND AS SHE IS TRAINED IN SEIZURE DETECTION AND IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE WITHOUT HER ALERTING ME IN TIME TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND SEEK HELP. SO PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE THAT DOES A BIOPSY THEN TELLS YOU IGNORE THE FAT LUMP THAT IS GROWING IF YOU LOVE YOUR ANIMAL, GO TO ANOTHER VET & ANOTHER OR CALL BIOSPECIFICS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE THE LIPOMA TREATMENT FDA APPROVAL YET OR A WAY TO GET THE SAME DRUG THAT IS APPROVED FOR OTHER HUMAN CONDITIONS IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS A DOCTOR TO HELP YOU THEN YOUR DOG MAY SURVIVE IF NOT, GOOD LUCK BECAUSE THEY WILL DRAIN YOUR SAVINGS TELLING YOU BS AND IGNORING THE OBVIOUS CLEAR PROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING THEN KICK YOU TO THE CURB WHEN YOU FINALLY GET FED UP WITH PAYING FOR USELESS TEST AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE REAL PROBLEM A HUGE FAT LUMP CAUSING GROWING RAPIDY, CAUSING PRESSURE STRESS AND PAIN THAT WILL KILL YOUR DOG IN A SLOW AGONIZING DEATH. AT LEAST WITH CANCER, YOU HAVE SOME SUPPORT, BUT WITH FAT AND INFLAMMATION FROM FAT, YOUR DOG GETS TREATED LIKE A SECOND CLASS CREATURE THAT DOES NOT DESERVE TO LIVE AND YOU AN ABUSIVE OWNER DESPITE THE FACT THE PREDNISONE CAUSED HER PANCREAS DAMAGE RESULTING IN HER DIABETES AND HER WEIGHT PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THE FACT I FEED HER NOTHING BUT HIGHEST LOW FAT BEEF SIRLOIN AND ARM ROAST AND INNOVA WEIGHT CONRTOLL DOG FOOD AND ONLY 5 CUPS A DAY WHICH AFTER 1ST SURGERY RESULTED IN WEIGHT LOSS UNTIL IT STARTED GROWING BACK AND WITH THE CHRONIC INFLATMMATION AND LIPOMA FAT, I’VE BEEN CALLED UNBELIEVABLE NAMES FOR LETTING MY DOG GET GROSSLY OBESE AS THEY CALL IT NOT EVEN LISTENING TO THE FACTS THAT ARE ALL BACKED BY RESEARCH..
I feel compelled to share our experience. Under a thick coat, I found a grapefruit-sized lump on my 9-year old golden’s right flank. One vet did a needle aspiration (which was costly & didn’t reveal much), while a few others quickly, said upon just an exam, that it was simply inoperable. We requested a biopsy, since we previously had a 10-year old golden die suddenly of Angiosarcoma. The biopsy determined it was a benign growth of fatty and necrotic tissue. However, we did not expect the rapid growth. Within a year, it was the size of a basketball…we were told that surgery would be difficult, involve heavy bleeding, as well as requiring the cutting of muscle and a huge skin graft. One vet did recommend that we consult a vet who was experienced in surgery. I had gone as far as calling a vet for a home euthanasia. But Hunter was just too happy, although the growth was impeding his mobility. We did take him to a specialty clinic and the possible outcomes & risks were discussed. As it turns out it was NOT infiltrative, veins were clamped off, and the mass was removed with forceps. It weighed 20 lbs. Hunter was home the next day, and back to normal in about 2-3 days. The large incision required dozens of staples, but the were taken out in less than 2 weeks. His hair is growing back, and he is healing well. Although it may eventually grow back (only microscopic remnants found), we are thrilled at the outcome and are thankful for the training and skill of the vet. It was $$ but well worth giving up what I had for new den furniture! Moral of this story is to ask questions, read, be relentless to get to the right person, and if you love your pet, budget so you will be prepared & don’t have to make a hard decision based solely on finances.
Just adding that I am so glad to find this forum and the information you share. I have an 11-year old golden as well. I wish I had found this information earlier and years ago when we lost a 10 yr old golden quite suddenly. He died within days of being diagnosed.
Dear Dr. D,
We just received word that the lump removed from our 15 year old Chihuahua mix is liposarcoma. Our vet said it was removed with a “narrow margin”. He said we could follow up with a veterinary oncologist, or just wait and see if it reoccurs. Can you tell me what an oncologist might recommend as a next step? And considering little Pebbles’ age, might the “wait and see” option be preferable?
Thanks!
Hi
I’ve just come back from the vet after taking my 3 1/2yr old springer spaniel to get a lump on his chest checked out. I had convinced myself that it was lipoma before I went and wasn’t too worried. However, the vet has found a harder lump at the side of the fatty mass and has recommended that the whole lump be removed for analysis. He says that a biopsy may not give a true analysis of what the firmer lumps are. I’m sitting here not knowing what to do or maybe I do but the thought of putting my wee boy through an operation frightens me.
Dear Sheona,
I think maybe your vet was saying a fine needle aspirate might not get a good yield as opposed to a biopsy. If you don’t want to do the surgery, you could get a punch or wedge biopsy done under sedation with a local block, which might be less invasive.
Best
Dr D
Dear My dog’s upper hand got a lump like lipoma. it grow too fast. inner five days it become big as potato. SO, can you suggest what is it? and how seriouse?
Hello, I have a 6 yr old Akita/Shepard.6 month’s ago i found out “Max”
had Lyme diease. Before i knew that though when at the vet i pointed a larg lump
by his chest/stomache area and the vet told me it was nothing to worry about. Last week i noticed him getting lethargic and he wasnt eating so i brought to a different vet to get a 2nd opinion on the lump and also to see if hes Lyme disease
came back. When the vet put the needle in him blood came out where the lump is. Test results will come back tomorrow but im just trying everything i can to make my buddy feel better.
Thanks
Dear Fred-
Stick to your guns and get that problem diagnosed and addressed properly. You are doing the right thing- hand in there.
Best,
Dr D
Hello, I have a 1 1/2 year old Weimereiner. Tonight we just found what appears to be a “fatty growth” on the roof of his mouth, back hear his throat. It looks like a chewed piece of gum just stuck there. It feels like rubber, and does not seem to bother him. I am going to call the vet tomorrow, but am worried as I just said good-bye to my young father due to cancer. Thanks, Kari
Dear Kari,
please, have the vet test this growth- keep us posted!
Best,
Dr D