Cutaneous Lymphoma

Michael Schaer, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC, University of Florida

ArticleLast Updated December 20051 min readPeer Reviewed
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A severely affected dog with extensive skin lesions and growths covers its head and neck, indicating a serious dermatological condition. The animal is lying on a textured surface, and its collar is visible, suggesting it is under veterinary care.

This 11-year-old, spayed female mixed-breed dog had been examined by several veterinarians for an un­diagnosed skin condition of several-months duration. Cutaneous lymphoma was eventually diagnosed on both fine-needle aspiration cytology and skin biopsy. The skin is one of several tissues of the body that can be the primary site of lymphoma. In dogs, cutaneous lymphoma can appear as large nodules, as shown in this picture, but also as small papular growths, small nodules, or plaquelike lesions with or without ulcerations. Metastasis can occur in advanced stages. Treatment is usually palliative using standard chemotherapeutic protocols.