Category:WikiClinical CanineCow
Category:WikiClinical FelineCow

Typical Signalment

  • This is a common odontogenic tumour in cats.
  • More rarely found in dogs.

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.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

  • halitosis
  • oral bleeding
  • dental disruption or loss
  • facial or mandibular deformity
  • excessive salivation
  • growth protruding from the mouth
  • dysphagia occurs rarely

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 - best
  • Cytological or grab procedures - 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