cancer in rats

Question
I noticed a large growth underneath my male rats arm pitt.All the information on the Internet is pointing to cancer.My rat is 2 years and I don't know how much longer he is gonna live.So my question... is it safe to keep him in the tank with the other male rat?

Answer

Cancer in rats is very very low, to be honest. I am not sure what sites your reading but your rat has a classic mammary tumor and it can be removed easily.

Also, keep him with his friends, there is no need to make him stressed.

He needs a good vet, get that thing off of him and he can live to be 3 or even 4 years old, happily!!

Dont worry about cancer. I have worked with hundreds of rats and can count on one hand how many of them have had cancer.  Most tumors rats have are benign tumors with the exception of zymbals gland tumors found on the side of the rats face which is usually cancerous, but as far as a cancerous growth in the mammary tissue, its almost unheard of.

However, dont get me wrong, a benign mammary tumor can eventually take the rats life and it will grow so huge he will have a hard time getting around.

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/allabouttumors.htm

Let me know your area and I will give you names of a vet that can help. Dont waste time on the regular dog/cat vet that will not know how to safely remove the tumor.