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REFERENCES
1. Murphy BG, Bell CM, Soukup JW. Veterinary oral and maxillofacial pathology. Wiley-Blackwell, 2020, p. 130. 2. Pazzi P, Steenkamp G, Rixon AJ. Treatment of Canine Oral Melanomas: A Critical Review of the Literature. Vet Sci. 2022;9(5):196. 3. Carroll KA, Kuntz CA, Heller J, et. al. Tumor size as a predictor of lymphatic invasion in oral melanomas of dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2020;256(10):1123-1128. 4. Evans SM, Shofer F. Canine oral nontonsillar squamous cell carcinoma: prognostic factors for
Figure 7. Picture (a) and intraoral radiograph (b) of a 12-year-old cat diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the left mandible. The mass was occupying most of the left mandible resulting in diffuse bony destruction and soft tissue swelling. Unfortunately, due to the advanced nature of the tumor and the cat’s declining condition, humane euthanasia was elected shortly after diagnosis. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael Balke, DAVDC, F-OMFS) Treatment is often palliative and can include radiation therapy, non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids. Prognosis is poor with median typical survival times of less than three months. 8 Tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma is primarily diagnosed in dogs and is a very aggressive tumor with a high metastatic potential. Unless diagnosed and treated early, multimodal treatment with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may extend life but is rarely curative. Prognosis is considered poor to guarded, with median survival often less than one year. 9
recurrence and survival following orthovoltage radiation therapy. Vet Rad. 1988;29(3):133-137.
5. Murphy BG, Bell CM, Soukup JW. Veterinary oral and maxillofacial pathology. Wiley-Blackwell, 2020, p.143. 6. Fulton AJ, Nemec A, Murphy BG, et. al. Risk factors associated with survival in dogs with nontonsillar oral squamous cell carcinoma 31 cases (1990-2010). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;243(5):696-702. 7. Boria PA, Murry DJ, Bennett PF, et. al. Evaluation of cisplatin combined with piroxicam for the treatment of oral malignant melanoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004;224(3):388-94. 8. Bilgic O, Duda L, Sánchez MD, et. al. Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Clinical Manifestations and Literature Review. J Vet Dent. 2015;32(1):30-40. 9. Mas A, Blackwood L, Cripps P, et.al. Canine tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma -- a multi-centre retrospective review of 44 clinical cases. J Small Anim Pract. 2011;52(7):359-64. 10. Martano M, Iussich S, Morello E, et. al. Canine oral fibrosarcoma: Changes in prognosis over the last 30 years?. Vet J. 2018;241:1-7.
Fibrosarcoma is the third most common malignant oral tumor in dogs and is less common in cats. They are a highly aggressive tumor locally that rarely metastasize. Early detection and wide surgical management can improve outcome and possibly be curative. If complete wide removal is not achieved or surgery is not a possibility, radiation therapy can be used to help with local control. Chemotherapy has not been shown to be effective against fibrosarcoma. Because of the tumor’s invasive nature and high recurrence rate, it is considered to have a guarded to poor prognosis. 10 The best opportunity for a successful outcome of oral tumors in dogs and cats typically occurs with early detection, accurate diagnosis and collaboration with oral surgical and oncological specialists. When possible, a combination of surgery, radiation and adjunctive therapies offers the best chance for long-term control. For animals that are not able to undergo curative treatment, supportive and palliative care with pain management and nutritional support should be provided.
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