Clinical, pathological and prognostic features of surgically excised cutaneous and subcutaneous digital and distal limb mast cell tumours in dogs

The behaviour of canine mast cell tumours affecting the digits and distal limb was affected primarily by tumours grade. Recurrence rates were highest in dogs with high-grade mast cell tumours, incomplete surgical resection and a mitotic count of >5. The outcome with surgical excision is excellent. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy, metastatic lymph node status and lymph node extirpation in high-grade mast cell tumour cases.