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A "tumor" is a lump. Not all are cancerous. Panniculitis is usually visible as a lump but it is an inflammation of the subcutaneous fatty tissue and is not cancerous. Steatitis is a similar inflammation of fatty tissue but occurs in any part of the body.

Papillomas are benign, but sometimes multiple, tumors caused by viruses. They are commonly known as "warts". The tumors often disappear spontaneously because the animal slowly develops immunity to them, but some papillomas may need to be removed surgically because they are inflamed, bleeding or infected. They are permanently cured by total surgical removal and do not spread to other parts of the body although there may be multiple tumors.

Parathyroid tumors in dogs include non-cancerous cysts, formed before birth. Enlarged parathyroid glands due to cell overgrowth (hyperplasia) may be secondary to chronic kidney disease and unbalanced nutrition. Most parathyroid cancers are benign (adenomas) and slow growing. Some are malignant (spreading). Both benign and malignant parathyroid cancers produce hormones. The hormones produce signs of overactive parathyroids (" hyperparathyroidism") with clinical signs such as weakening of bones with fractures and lameness. Sometimes there is also loosening and loss of teeth.

Most pituitary tumors are benign (and a few are non-cancerous cysts) but because of their location, they still produce serious adverse effects as they enlarge and they are rarely curable. Many produce hormones that have effects on the glands normally targeted by pituitary hormones, and have a knock-on effect on the targets of the hormones of these glands. The most common hormone produced by pituitary tumors stimulates the adrenal cortex leading to clinical signs associated with overstimulation of these glands.

These are uncommon skin tumors in dogs, but occur mainly in middle aged to older animals with an average age of occurrence of 10 years. The tumors can be difficult to diagnose and have been given several different names so the precise incidence is uncertain.

The prostate gland stores sperm after they have been made in the testicles and produces fluid that contains essential nutrients for the sperm. Cancers of the prostate are rare but usually involve the cells that make the fluid. Although true cancer is rare, non-cancerous overgrowth (hyperplasia) of the gland is common. Both the non-cancerous and cancerous growths have similar clinical signs. There is usually pain in the area and pressure on the back passage (rectum) interfering with passing faeces. Occasionally there is infection or interference with passing urine.