My older dog has a benign plasma cell tumor. Can it be malignant?

Question

Result of my dog's biopsy indicated that the growth was a benign plasma cell tumor. Since it was completely removed in the biopsy, I was told I shouldn't have to worry about it. Are there malignant forms of plasma cell tumor? I'm wondering since my dog is older and I believe she is more prone to these things because of her age. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 11 years and 4 months old | 50 lbs

Dr. Strydom, DVM · Accepted Answer

Plasma cell tumors of the skin are almost always benign in the vast majority of cases. Predisposed breeds include Cocker Spaniels, West Highland White Terriers and perhaps Yorkshire Terriers, Boxers, German Shepherd Dogs and Airedale Terriers, with a median age of 9–10 years of age when the mass arises. Surgical excision with good margins is curative in the vast majority of cases. Recurrence occurs in only a minority of cases (<8% of cases). There are malignant forms and they carry a worse prognosis but they only occur in <4% of cutaneous tumors. I don't think you need to worry about any malignant forms of this at this point in time.

My older dog has a benign plasma cell tumor. Can it be malignant?

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