Firm Bumps on Your Cat or Dog Attached by a Stalk — What’s Going On?

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• A basal cell tumor is a slow-growing overgrowth of cells on the outer layer of the skin. They can be either benign or malignant, but most are benign. In dogs, basal tumors are usually found on the head, neck, or forelimbs. In cats, they can develop almost anywhere on the body
• These tumors are typically firm bumps that may be attached by a stalk. They can range in size from less than 1 centimeter to up to 10 centimeters in diameter. Malignant tumors are most often seen in older cats, and appear flatter than benign tumors
• A confirming diagnosis is made through microscopic examination of tissue through either a fine-needle aspiration or a biopsy. The standard treatment for both benign and malignant basal cell tumors is surgery, which provides a complete cure if the entire tumor can be excised