{"id":1449,"date":"2012-07-01T13:45:19","date_gmt":"2012-07-01T13:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phosdev.com\/todaysveterinarypractice\/?p=1449"},"modified":"2022-02-18T17:33:23","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T17:33:23","slug":"practical-dentistry-introduction-to-oral-neoplasia-in-the-dog-cat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/dentistry\/practical-dentistry-introduction-to-oral-neoplasia-in-the-dog-cat\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction to Oral Neoplasia in the Dog & Cat"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Brook A. Niemiec, DVM, FAVD, Diplomate AVDC<\/em><\/p>\n

The oral cavity is a very common place to encounter neoplastic growths, which may range from benign to malignant.1-3<\/sup>\u00a0The key to successful therapy of oral masses is early detection and definitive diagnosis.<\/p>\n

The best therapy for oral masses is complete surgical resection.1,4-5<\/sup>\u00a0If surgery is performed early, the procedure is much less invasive. In addition, early detection and treatment decreases the odds for tumor metastasis.<\/p>\n

The information presented in this article not only helps improve patient care but also improves practice revenue through proper client education (see Educating Clients About Oral Neoplasia).<\/p>\n

TYPES OF MASSES<\/span><\/h2>\n

Benign Masses6<\/sup><\/span><\/strong>
\nThe most common oral growths were originally termed epulids<\/em> (fibromatous and ossifying)1<\/sup>; now they are identified as peripheral odontogenic fibromas<\/em>.6<\/sup>\u00a0Another benign oral mass is the acnthomatous ameloblastoma<\/em>, which was originally termed an epulis.<\/p>\n

Peripheral odontogenic fibromas are overgrowths of the periodontal ligament (Figures 1A and 1B<\/strong>),1<\/sup>\u00a0classifying them as hamartomas<\/em> (benign masses resulting from an overgrowth of mature cells normally present in the affected tissue). These masses can grow very large, but are not aggressive. They do not cause bony reaction (Figure 1C<\/strong>), but the ossifying type produces bony proliferation.<\/p>\n

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Acanthomatous ameloblastomas are locally aggressive, but do not metastasize. The most common location of these fleshy tumors is in the incisor\/canine region of large-breed dogs.1<\/sup>\u00a0They originate within the bone but do not have radiating microtendrils (Figure 2<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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Malignant Masses3<\/sup><\/span><\/strong>
\nSquamous cell carcinomas (Figure 3<\/strong>) are the most common malignant oral tumors in cats, with fibrosarcomas (Figure 4<\/strong>) a distant second. Both are typically seen in older cats and locally aggressive but late to metastasize. These soft tissue tumors secondarily invade bone, sending out branches of cells that cannot be seen clinically.<\/p>\n

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\"c04_fig04-06\"<\/a>Melanosarcomas (Figure 5<\/strong>) are the most common malignant oral tumor is dogs (typically seen in older dogs with dark pigmented gingiva).7<\/sup>\u00a0Melanomas are locally aggressive and also metastasize very early in the disease course. At time of diagnosis, 90% of melanomas have already spread. Fibrosarcomas (Figure 6<\/strong>) and squamous cell carcinomas (Figure 7<\/strong>) are also seen in dogs.<\/p>\n

Cysts<\/span><\/strong>
\nCysts are a subset of oral masses:<\/p>\n