Oral tumors are the fourth most common cancer in dogs. They range from benign but bone-invading masses that surgery can cure to melanomas that have often reached the lymph nodes by the time the owner notices bad breath. Because the gross appearance does not tell you which is which, every oral mass needs a biopsy and proper staging before anyone talks about treatment or prognosis.
Key facts
Oral tumor at a glance- Species and system: dogs; oral cavity (gingiva, mucosa, palate, tongue, tonsil, jaw bone).
- Big three malignancies: malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and fibrosarcoma. Osteosarcoma is less common.
- Most common benign tumors: peripheral odontogenic fibroma, and canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma (benign but invades bone).
- Classic presentation: older dog with halitosis, drooling, oral bleeding, reluctance to eat, loose teeth or facial swelling.
- Diagnosis: deep incisional biopsy from inside the mouth; staging with node sampling and thoracic imaging; CT for jaw involvement.
- Treatment: wide surgical resection (mandibulectomy or maxillectomy) is the mainstay; radiation and, for melanoma, immunotherapy are added when needed.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 20 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.