Oral Tumors

If your cat has been diagnosed with an oral tumor, knowing more about the disease can help you provide them with a better quality of life. Oral tumors represent 15% to 20% of feline cancers.

What is an oral tumor?

An oral tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the mouth. Three-fourths of oral tumors in cats are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with fibrosarcoma the second most common. These tumors can be highly invasive, but slow to spread to other organs (i.e., metastasize). Risk factors for SCC in cats may include cigarette smoke, flea collars, and canned food. Oral tumor signs mimic severe dental disease or a tooth root abscess. 

What are common oral tumor signs in cats?

Early signs include:

• Unkempt haircoat
• Reclusive behavior
• Bad breath
• Drooling

Intermediate to advanced signs include: 

• Difficulty eating
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Trouble swallowing
• Facial swelling

How is an oral tumor managed in cats?  

Oral tumors in cats can be difficult to manage. The first step is addressing pain and underlying infection. The preferred SCC treatment is surgery, depending on the tumor size and location. Radiation therapy can be effective, and anti-inflammatory medications have been shown to inhibit tumor growth. Appetite stimulants or a feeding tube may be required to provide nutrition and medications. Cats with an oral tumor need regular veterinary visits to monitor their status and prognosis. Discussing a personalized management plan with your veterinarian, and a veterinary oncologist, is important for the best outcome for your cat.

What is the prognosis for cats with an oral tumor?

With complete tumor removal, median survival times for cats can be five to seven months. The combination of surgery and radiation may extend survival to 14 months. There is an almost 40% recurrence rate, and the prognosis is poor if the cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes.  Unfortunately, fewer than 10% of cats with an oral tumor survive for one year. 

Management tips for cats with an oral tumor   

At-home needs include:

• Easy access to food, water, and litter box, and a comfortable location
• Consistency with prescribed medications
• Feeding a palatable prescription diet 
• Keeping a feeding tube clean, if needed 
• Monitoring appetite, weight, drinking, urination, and energy level

For end-of-life care:

• Try to keep your cat safe and comfortable
• Ensure adequate nutrition and hydration
• Monitor closely for pain or discomfort
• Evaluate your cat’s quality of life with our scoring tool
• Track progression of their health with our calendar

In a crisis situation:

• Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat stops eating; has difficulty breathing; or is vomiting, bleeding from the mouth, or vocalizing in pain.

Before your cat‘s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life, beginning end-of-life care discussions is vital. Learn more about pet hospice, in-home euthanasia, and our teleadvice service, or contact a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area, so you can feel fully prepared for this progressive disease.