My cat has a lump on its neck. Is it benign or should I get it tested?

Question

Silver has still this nodule in the neck (right side) under the skin for 2 years now. It grew a little bit more this last year and it is a bit oval (1cmx1.5cm). The cat is healthy, 5.7 kg, full of energy and appetite, with nice fur. Do you still advise to remove the nodule, or is there a good chance it is benign? It does not bother him at all. May we leave it that way? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 4 years and 6 months old | 13.7 lbs

Anna M., DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The only way to know for sure what this little growth is, would be to have it tested in some way. The least invasive way to test is to do cytology, where your vet can use a needle to remove a few cells from the lump and look at them under the microscope. Cytology is not always 100% diagnostic, but it is minimally invasive and often allows us to gauge a level of concern, or diagnose certain types of common masses. The way to know for sure what that lump is, would be to have it surgically removed and send the lump itself in for testing (histopathology). Histopathology nearly always gives us a diagnosis, but of course is more invasive. While Silver's age (as a young adult) makes him less prone to scary malignant growths, and growths that are very slow to change may turn out to be benign, there is no way to know for sure what the growth is without having it tested in some way. You may choose to leave it that way, but doing so without having it evaluated in some way is a little bit of a gamble. I know this isn't an absolute answer - but unfortunately the only answer can come from testing the lump. I'd say it's worth having a vet take a look at the lump for peace of mind. Hope this helps.

My cat has a lump on its neck. Is it benign or should I get it tested?

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