New HT Vista survey reveals 62% of canine lumps go undiagnosed in veterinary practices
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This striking figure highlights a
missed opportunity for earlier cancer detection, which in turn limits the
ability of veterinary teams to improve medical outcomes for their patients. On
average, general practitioners report seeing 13.5 dermal and
subcutaneous masses per vet per week, yet fewer than six of those
cases lead to a diagnosis. With around 15% of these lumps
ultimately proving malignant, thousands of dogs may be leaving
clinics each week without a clear diagnosis.
Oncologists are warning that the
current “wait and see” culture risks delaying treatment and worsening outcomes.
Dr Gillian Dank, a leading veterinary oncologist, said: “Every week, thousands
of dogs leave practices with undiagnosed masses. While many are benign, others
are malignant, and delaying diagnosis can mean lost treatment opportunities and
poorer prognoses.”
The survey uncovered typical
barriers preventing vets from performing more widespread testing. The number
one reason cited by vets is the assumption that a mass is benign by its gross
characteristics, followed by owner concerns around cost, time constraints
during consultations, and limited access to in-house cytology.
Dr. Craig Clifford, a leading
veterinary oncologist, whose stated primary focus is helping general
practitioners adopt practical oncologic techniques to improve patient outcomes,
also expressed concern about the lack of testing. “I’ve seen too many cases
where a ‘wait and see’ approach dramatically altered a patient’s trajectory. If
a mast cell tumor or soft tissue sarcoma is identified early, survival can be
measured in thousands of days. But when diagnosis is delayed, we’re often left
facing non-resectable or metastatic disease.”
Beyond the clear implications for
patient care, the survey also revealed the potential for considerable practice
growth.
Practitioners were asked about
typical client costs of diagnostic tests, which highlighted the financial
implications of under-testing. By performing diagnostics on more of the lumps
they encounter, vets could be generating thousands in additional revenue at a
time when practices face mounting financial and operational pressures. These
findings underscore an opportunity to both improve patient care and strengthen
client trust, while improving practice profitability.
Veterinary experts stress that
overcoming these challenges with accessible, efficient, and cost-effective
diagnostic tools will be key to improving outcomes for patients while unlocking
sustainable business growth for practices.
The full survey results are now
available to download as an infographic here: https://info.ht-vet.com/lump-and-bump-survey-results,
accompanied by an on-demand webinar discussion featuring Dr Natalie Marks
alongside oncologists Dr Craig Clifford and Dr Gillian Dank that can be viewed
here: https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/continuing-education/syllabus/lesson/cracking-code-lumps-bumps-fast-efficient-diagnosis-everyday-practice.
Together, they explore the most effective, efficient, and conclusive strategies
for diagnosing lumps and bumps in general practice.
HT Vista will also be exhibiting at the London Vet Show on
stand W53 at ExCeL London. Visit the team to learn more about the HT Vista
device and see live demonstrations throughout the event.
Chief Commercial Officer Asher Fink and Managing Director
Liron Levy-Hirsch will be speaking on 20 November from 1–1:50pm in Exhibitor
Showcase Theatre 2. Their session, “20 dogs in your waiting room with lumps
and bumps – how do you spot the 3 with cancer?”, will explore practical
approaches to improving diagnostic efficiency and early cancer detection in
general practice. More details can be found at: https://london.vetshow.com/conference-programme-2025/session-title-coming-soon-38
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