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Wide surgical resection is recommended given the high rate of local tumor recurrence with incomplete resection. Oral squamous cell carcinoma tumors infiltrate extensively through tissues and can invade into surrounding bone. TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE AND PROGNOSIS: Learn more about Cancer Staging tests here. Regional lymph nodes should be palpated carefully and assessed cytologically, if possible. Without a CT scan, there is a high chance the tumor will be removed incompletely and recurrence is likely.Īdditional diagnostics include blood tests to assess overall health and chest x-rays for the evaluation of disease spread. While it’s tempting to ask your veterinarian to remove the entire mass, given the locally invasive nature of these tumors, a CT scan is typically necessary to determine the extent of disease. An incisional biopsy involves removing a small piece of tissue from the mass whereas excisional biopsy entails an attempt at removing the entire mass. While a needle aspirate of the mass is an option, a biopsy is a better option for providing a definitive diagnosis and should be done while the cat is sedated or under anesthesia. A complete oral exam requires giving your cat a short-acting sedative. Unfortunately, most cats do not show any outward signs until the tumor is too large to be treated and owners have no way of knowing their cat has this disease.Ī thorough oral exam is the first step in diagnosing oral squamous cell carcinoma. Tumors are more likely to be seen during a dental because cleanings are done under general anesthesia and your veterinarian can have a much better look in your cat’s mouth. These signs often prompt veterinarians to recommend a dental cleaning, assuming “bad teeth” as the cause of signs. Tumors are not always visible on an awake exam and painful cats will not permit their owners or veterinarians to get a good look in their mouths. Your cat may show decreased grooming, have a foul odor to their breath, or show signs of facial or jaw swelling. You may note blood-tinged saliva around their mouth, blood in the food/water bowl, or along your cat’s front paws. They may approach their food bowl and attempt to eat, but only sniff at the food and not ingest it. However, cats are reluctant to eat because the tumor is painful, not because they aren’t hungry. The first signs of an oral tumor are often perceived as decreased or absent appetite and weight loss. The most common sites of metastasis are lymph nodes of the head and neck and the lungs. The rate of metastasis at the time of diagnosis is low. Tumors are locally invasive and can extend into the bones of the upper or lower jaw. It is the most common oral cancer in cats. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is cancer of the lining of the oral cavity, including the gingiva (gums), tongue, palate and tonsils.