Oral Tumors

Oral tumors in dogs and cats, including malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, fibrosarcoma, and acanthomatous ameloblastoma, often exhibit aggressive behavior, such as bone invasion and metastasis. The chapter discusses diagnostic approaches, including physical exams, blood work, and imaging, and emphasizes surgical resection with clean margins as the primary treatment. For advanced cases, aggressive surgery combined with chemotherapy or targeted therapies is recommended. Genetic analysis is highlighted for identifying targetable mutations for personalized treatment. Key findings include the aggressive nature of these tumors and the necessity of comprehensive diagnostic workups and tailored treatment plans to improve patient outcomes. For canine fibrosarcoma, angiogenesis-targeting therapies like metronomic chemotherapy or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinib or toceranib) are recommended, with imatinib preferred due to fewer side effects. The Torigen autologous cancer vaccine is also considered, though its efficacy remains anecdotal. Feline squamous cell carcinoma presents significant challenges, with surgical excision offering long-term survival only for small, rostrally located tumors. Pain management is critical, with COX-2 inhibitors recommended for non-hypercalcemic patients and prednisone for others. Nutritional support and supplements are suggested to optimize immune health.