Sebaceous Adenomas in Dogs and Cats
📝 Summary
Sebaceous adenomas are usually benign, curable oil-gland tumors of older dogs and cats, appearing as firm, movable, hairless lumps that may ulcerate. Benign forms are cured by removal or freezing, while adenocarcinomas need wider surgery.
1 Symptoms
Sebaceous gland nodular hyperplasia shows enlarged glands with mature lobules around a central duct. Adenomas are firm, well-defined, freely movable, often hairless, and sometimes ulcerated, with fewer lobules than simple hyperplasia.
Sebaceous epitheliomas look similar to basal cell tumors and can be heavily pigmented, so they must be told apart from melanoma. Sebaceous adenocarcinomas are invasive, poorly defined, and ulcerate readily, and they rarely occur on the head.
2 Causes and Transmission
Sebaceous adenomas are not contagious. They are benign tumors of the oil glands that appear more often in older dogs and cats and in certain breeds, though the precise cause is unknown.
No infectious agent is involved; the growths arise from the animal’s own skin glands.
3 Diagnosis
A veterinarian examines the lump and may take a fine-needle sample or biopsy. Microscopy distinguishes the benign adenoma from the malignant adenocarcinoma and from pigmented tumors such as melanoma.
Because several skin tumors look alike, biopsy is the reliable way to confirm the type before treatment.
4 Treatment
Sebaceous hyperplasia, adenomas, and epitheliomas are benign and are cured by complete surgical removal or freezing (cryotherapy). Any ulcerated surface may be treated with a topical anti-cancer preparation as directed.
Malignant adenocarcinomas need wider surgery and may be followed by anti-cancer medication. Protecting the healing wound from licking supports recovery.
5 Prevention
There is no specific prevention, but routine skin checks help find lumps early, when removal is simplest and cure is most likely.
Any patch of hair loss, darkening, or ulceration on the skin should be screened promptly so benign growths are not mistaken for something more serious.
Still Have Questions About Sebaceous Adenomas in Dogs and Cats?
Explore more disease articles or ask our expert team for professional advice
Go to Q&A →