Suspicious lump

[QuestionMark]

My 24-year-old best girl mare has a smooth, round lump in her nether regions (just to the side of her vulva). I know it is new because a photo I took last week shows it wasn’t there.

She had a melanoma removed from her tailbone about 5 years ago. It was confirmed by biopsy and I remember the vet was surprised because she is not grey and told me I needed to watch for more in the future because melanomas in non-grey horses are more concerning.

She has PPID but is doing well on Prascend and is otherwise getting along well for 24. I am really hoping it is just an irritated cyst or something but I am concerned given the history.

Talk me off the ledge? What should I make sure to ask the (different than 5 years ago) vet when they come this week to take a look?

[trubandloki]

Jingles.

Is this vet with the same practice as the vet you used last time, so they have access to all of the previous records?

I think just having all that information is all they need.

[QuestionMark]

They are not, but they do have basic records and I let them know about the melanoma history when I asked for an appointment.

[Simkie]

Was the melanoma benign or cancerous? Melanoma on non grey horses is more likely to be cancerous, but isn’t always.

The good news is you’ve caught whatever this is very early. It could certainly be something like a granuloma type reaction to a bug bite. But even if it’s not, it hasn’t been festering and growing for very long, so even if it’s something worrisome, you’re well ahead of the curve.

I would expect a fine needle aspirate at the very least to understand what it is. Just popping it off probably wouldn’t be unreasonable.

Good luck!

[QuestionMark]

I actually don’t know — former vet just said it was melanoma and needed removal ASAP. I think at the time I thought this indicated cancer but I actually am not sure that this was true.

Unfortunately it is too late to go back and ask former vet about the details.

In my head I am hoping that even if it is melanoma, 5 years between occurrences might be a good sign.

[QuestionMark]

Update—the vet feels reasonably certain the lump is a melanoma. Next steps (if I choose to pursue; deciding today) are referral to Davis and a work up to assess whether metastasis has occurred (especially to the lungs) before considering removal.

[NaturallyHappy]

Prayers offered for a good outcome!

[trubandloki]

Jingles!

[barnesthenoble]

Sending jingles!! I’ve had good experiences at UCD for oncology, so if you do end up there I hope you also have a positive outcome.

[QuestionMark]

Real sh*tter of an update—we are on the calendar at Davis next week but this morning when I was bathing her I found a second lump, this one hidden from sight further down toward her udder. Definitely was not there 10 days ago so this seems to be happening quickly.

[NaturallyHappy]

I’m so sorry.

[GraceLikeRain]

I’m really sorry. Jingling for the days to pass quickly until your appointment and you get answers soon.

[barnesthenoble]

So sorry. Jingling hard.

[QuestionMark]

Jingles worked (I think—pending lab results). The surgeon decided to remove the first mass and look inside. He was very surprised (and geeked out) to find something that did NOT look anything like melanoma. He was not sure was it is but said he was confident enough that it isn’t malignant. He wasn’t sure if it would be possible to get the second mass while she was under standing sedation but decided to give it a shot and was successful! The second mass looked the same inside—mysterious but NOT melanoma.

PHEW.

[NaturallyHappy]

Yahoooo!

[trubandloki]

Great news.
Continued Jingles.

[Fiesta01]

Wonderful news!! Please let us know what the biopsy results are when you get them. Jingles for your girl. Hugs for you.

[GraceLikeRain]

Awesome news!!!

[QuestionMark]

Preliminary lab results say the verdict is that the masses were mast cell tumors. The surgeon reiterated that 1. He has never seen mast cell tumors that looked like these before and 2. They are rare in horses and not the same cause for concern that they are in dogs/cats.

[GraceLikeRain]

The medical mystery continues. Prognosis is okay though? Any further action needed?