Testing a lump costs little: a fine needle aspirate with pathology is commonly a few hundred dollars. Simple removals at a general practice run roughly $500 to $2,000 including anaesthesia and histopathology. Proper cancer surgery with wide margins, reconstruction, or internal masses like splenic tumours commonly runs $2,000 to $8,000 or more.
| Option | Typical Australian range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fine needle aspirate and cytology | $150 to $500 | The test that names the lump; sometimes done in consult |
| Simple skin lump removal | $500 to $2,000 | Includes anaesthesia; histopathology may be extra, insist on it |
| Wide margin tumour resection | $2,000 to $5,000 | Planned oncological surgery, often with advanced imaging first |
| Internal mass surgery (e.g. splenectomy) | $4,000 to $8,000+ | Often urgent; includes hospitalisation and transfusion readiness |
| Staging (CT, ultrasound, nodes) | $500 to $4,500 | Mapping spread before big decisions; ask what changes based on results |
Histopathology on the removed lump tells you whether the margins were clean, and it is the difference between finished and a false finish. Staging before major surgery answers whether the big operation can still achieve its goal. Owners are sometimes offered savings by skipping one or both. It is your call, but understand what the discount buys: a cheaper invoice and a blindfold.
The cytology, the margins plan and the quote reviewed independently. From $250.
Size, location and movement problems: a benign lump in an armpit can still cost a dog its stride. And occasionally cytology under calls a lump; removal with histopathology is the definitive answer when anything about the story does not fit.
Splenic masses bleed, sometimes suddenly, and the surgery itself can need blood on standby. It is a genuine cost, a genuine safety measure, and a sign the clinic quoting you understands the operation.
An independent written opinion on the diagnosis, the technique and the quote. From $250.