TUMORS OF THE SKIN AND ASSOCIATED STRUCTURES

Because of the location of skin tumors, afflicted dogs and cats are fr equently presented to veterinarians for examination. The location also facilitates the use of radiation therapy for patients with skin tumor s. Few animals treated with radiation therapy for skin tumors experien ce significant toxicity. Animals with a variety of skin tumors can ben efit from treatment with radiation therapy. These tumors include mast cell tumors, squamous cell carcinoma, tumors of the digit, tumors of t he ear canal, tumors of the cutaneous adnexa, mammary gland tumors, pl asma cell tumors, cutaneous melanoma, cutaneous hemangiosarcoma, and t ransmissible venereal tumors. The prognosis for individual patients va ries with the tumor type and, in some cases, with the stage of the dis ease.