Jaw Cancer in Cats

Jaw and oral cancer in cats also goes by the name of squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, and is a form of the same type of skin cancer caused by sun damage. The prognosis for a diagnosed cat can be poor, so it is essential to check your pet regularly for any unusual lumps and bumps to catch the disease early. SCC jaw cancer typically affects older cats and can occur in the upper jaw, lower jaw and tongue, according to Long Beach Animal Hospital's website. Jaw cancer can affect the jawbone and the tissue of the mouth surrounding the bone.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of a cat with jaw and oral cancer can be difficult to detect, but common signs include drooling and bleeding from the mouth. Typical symptoms include bad breath, difficulty eating (dysphagia), and drooling, according to Long Beach Animal Hospital. However your cat might not display any outward signs at all.

      According to Manhattancats.com, 95 percent of oral SCC cases are diagnosed only in the late stages, when the cat starts to show dramatic changes in appearance such as swelling of the jaw or face, weight loss and bleeding. The survival rate can be as low as 5 percent. It is for this reason that early detection is essential.

    Detection

    • It is essential to check your cat regularly for any lumps and bumps around the mouth and underside of the jaw. This can be done as part of your normal petting routine. If you find a lump, check for size, exact location, texture (soft or firm), sensitivity (if it is painful for your cat when touched), whether it is ulcerated, oozing, bleeding or smelly, according to Manhattancats.com. Oral SCC can also be detected during teeth cleaning. The disease can mirror root abscesses, so it is important to get the area checked by a vet, and to have a biopsy if cancer is suspected.

    Treatment with Surgery

    • Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. According to Manhattancats.com, surgery offers the best chances of survival, but it's a cure only if the cancer hasn't spread to another part of the body. The affected area must be completely removed.

    Treatment with Radiation

    • Radiation treatment is used for localized tumors that can't be treated with surgery, or for cancers that were treated with surgery but not fully removed. Radiation works by injuring the cancer cells as they divide, so that they can no longer spread and therefore die. However, not all cancers are receptive to such treatment.

    Treatment with Chemotherapy

    • Chemotherapy is commonly used after the cancer has spread to other body areas. However, chemotherapy in animals is intended to slow the progression of the cancer and maintain a good quality of life, not as an all-out cure. Most cats cope with chemotherapy reasonably well, but be sure to check for any side effects like vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. They also can lose their whiskers during treatment.

    Causes

    • The National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that several environmental risk factors can be attributed to the development of oral SCC, including the use of flea control products, diet and cigarette smoke. "Flea control product use and diet were significantly associated with risk of oral SCC," according to the center's research. "Cats that wore a flea collar had five times the risk of oral SCC as non-users."

      Similarly, cats "with high canned food intake had a threefold increase in risk," with canned tuna being particularly high risk.

      The study also suggests that "environmental tobacco smoke might be associated with risk of oral SCC and ... that further investigation into these relationships is warranted."

      Safer diet and flea treatment options for your cat include flea shampoo and dry pet food, according to the abstract.