Oral Tumors

What is an oral tumor?

An oral tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the mouth. Melanomas (i.e., melanosarcoma) are the most common oral tumor, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), fibrosarcoma, and osteosarcoma. These tumors can be highly invasive, and melanomas are especially prone to spread to other organs (i.e., metastasize). Oral tumor signs mimic severe dental disease and tooth abscesses.

What are common oral tumor signs in dogs?

Early signs include:

• 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 dogs?  

Oral tumors in dogs can be difficult to manage. The first step is addressing pain and underlying infection. The preferred treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. If surgery is not an option, radiation and/or chemotherapy is recommended.  With complete melanoma excision, immunotherapy may be helpful. Appetite stimulants or a feeding tube may be required to provide nutrition and medications. Dogs 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 dog.

What is the prognosis for dogs with an oral tumor?

The prognosis for dogs with an oral tumor depends on the tumor size and type, and complete surgical excision. The average survival time for melanoma surgery alone is less than six months, but when combined with radiation and chemotherapy, can be up to one year. Studies indicate that melanoma immunotherapy increases survival time to 20 months or longer. The survival time for a dog with an SCC after complete surgical excision and radiation therapy is between 10 to 40 months. Tonsillar SCC has a much poorer prognosis.

Management tips for dogs with an oral tumor   

At-home needs include:

• Easy access to food and water, 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 dog your safe and comfortable
• Ensure adequate nutrition and hydration
• Monitor closely for pain or discomfort
• Evaluate your dog’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 dog stops eating; has difficulty breathing; or is vomiting, bleeding from the mouth, or vocalizing in pain.

Before your dog‘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 telehospice service, or contact a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area, so you can feel fully prepared for this progressive disease.