Also Known As: Button tumor
Transmission or Cause: A benign, usually self-limiting tumor of mononuclear white blood cells in the skin which are derived from epidermal Langerhans cells.
Affected Animals: Most
common in younger (< 4yr) dogs.
Clinical signs: Usually a single, rapidly growing raised, round, hairless pink, red or ulcerated skin nodule. They occur most commonly on the head, ears and legs.
Diagnosis: Needle aspirate and/or biopsy of the nodule reveals round cells which are typical histiocytes +/- associated inflammatory cells.
Treatment: In most cases, these tumors will spontaneously regress within 2-3 months due to immune stimulation. Treatment with topical or systemic steroids is therefore unnecessary and may inhibit immune clearance of the tumors. Lesions which persist for longer than 2-3 months should be removed and biopsied, and excision is curative in these cases.
Prognosis: Good, as these tumors are benign.