Amyloid-producing Odontogenic Tumour

Description

The lesions appear as masses that are friable and ulcerated. Many amyloid-producing odontogenic tumours are melanotic which makes them difficult to distinguish from the more aggressive malignant melanoma. They can erode but not infiltrate adjacent bone.

Typical Signalment

This is a common odontogenic tumour in cats and more rarely found in dogs.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

Include halitosis, oral bleeding, dental disruption or loss, facial or mandibular deformity, excessive salivation, growth protruding from the mouth and rarely dysphagia.

Diagnostic Imaging

Skull radiography may show a soft tissue opacity with mineralization within the mass. Periosteal reaction of the adjacent bone may be visualised. If a malignant neoplasm is a dignostic possibility, thoracic radiography should be carried out to evaluate for lung metastases.

Biopsy

Required for a definitive diagnosis Incisional Biopsy is the best option, when undertaking cytological or grab procedures it is difficult to obtain a representative sample.

Histologically, the tumour appears to be well demarcated from the surrounding tissue but is not encapsulated.

Treatment

• Surgical excision with narrow margins is normally sufficient.
• Radiation therapy should be considered in cases of incomplete surgical excision.

Prognosis

• Good following complete surgical excision.
• Recurrance following incomplete surgical excision is possible.

References

• Tutt, C., Deeprose, J. and Crossley, D. (2007) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry (3rd Edition) BSAVA

• Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual