Introduction
- Benign tumor of the skin, common in dogs, rare in other species.
- Accounts for up to 14% of all skin tumors in dogs.
- Signs : usually solitary, occasionally multiple. There is an extremely rare form which is malignant.
- Diagnosis : history, clinical signs, cytopathology.
- Treatment : surgical excision.
- Prognosis : excellent; if incomplete resection, can recur.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Non painful, 'button-like' intradermal lesion.
- Hairless or with ulcerated surface.
- Clinical Signs - Common.
- Most 1-2 cm diameter.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Non-neoplastic:
- Chronic inflammatory lesion.
- Insect bites.
- Foreign body reaction.
- Histiocytic proliferative dermatitis.
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Excellent
- If incompletely resected, can re-occur.
Expected response to treatment
- Often regress spontaneously.
- Uncommon for new masses to develop once animal is >2 years old.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Incorrect diagnosis - particularly mast cell tumor mimicking histiocytoma.
- Rarely malignant form of histiocytoma present.
Sources
Publications
Other sources of information
- Kipar A, Baumgarter W, Kremmer E, Frese K & Weiss E (1998) Expression of major histocompatability complex class II antigen in neoplastic cells of canine cutaneous histiocytoma. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 62 (1), 1-13.
- Withrow S J & MacEwen E G (1996) Small Animal Clinical Oncology. W B Saunders.
- Moore P F, Schrenzel M D, Affolter V K, Olivry T and Nayden D (1996) Canine cutaneous histiocytoma is an epridermatrophic Langerhans cell histiocytosis that expresses CD1 and specific beta 2-integrin molecules. Am J Pathol 148 (5), 1699-1708.
- Marchel T, Dezutter-Dambuyant C, Fournal C, Magnol J P & Schmitt D (1995) Immunophenotypic and ultrastructural evidence of the Langerhans cell origin of the canine cutaneous histiocytoma. Acta Anat (Basel) 153 (3) 189-202.
- Marchel T, Dezutter-Dambuyant C, Fournal C, Magnol J P & Schmitt D (1995) Electromicroscopic study of canine cutaneous histiocytoma - a benign Langerhans cell tumour. Adv Exp Med Biol 378 549-551.
- Bender W M & Muller G H (1989) Multiple resolving cutaneous histiocytoma in a dog. JAVMA 194 535-577.




