Oral cancers are relatively common in dogs, with squamous cell carcinomas being the most common. If the cancer occurs at the back of the dog's throat, its initial location may be close to or on the animal's trachea, leading the tumor to spread to the larynx (the upper opening of the trachea) and epiglottis.
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Definitions
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Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer found in the squamous epithelium (the scaly, platelike cells of the skin and mucous membranes) of dogs. The epiglottis is the lidlike structure over the opening of the trachea (the windpipe) that closes when a dog swallows, allowing food to go down the esophagus to the stomach without traveling into the lungs. A squamous cell carcinoma of the epiglottis is usually an extension of either a nasal or oral cancer that has spread to the mucous membranes of the upper palate and trachea.
Disease Symptoms
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The symptoms of epiglottal cancer depend on the location and size of the growth and are very similar to those of oral cancer. The animal may have severe bad breath and increased salivation with possible drooling. There can be some tooth loss and mouth pain and the dog may show signs of gagging when it swallows. Owners may be able to see a mass in the back of the throat that interferes in eating and drinking; if the mass is particularly large, it can lead to anorexia in the dog.
Treatment
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Surgical excision is commonly the initial form of treatment for oral cancers; however, if the tumor has reached the epiglottis and the trachea, this presents a particular problem for the veterinary surgeon, possibly requiring reconstructive surgery. If the cancer has metastasized to the maxilla or mandible (upper and lower jaw), part of the bone may have to be removed.
The veterinarian may recommend a series of radiation therapy, followed by chemotherapy to kill any cancerous cells not removed during surgery. The typical antineoplastic (cancer destroying) drug used for squamous cell carcinomas is called Cisplatin, which works by destroying the DNA of cancerous cells so they cannot reproduce.
Aftercare
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Dogs receiving treatment for oral squamous cell carcinomas will need extensive home care after surgery. There is often some facial swelling after surgery and the veterinarian may recommend a series of cold and warm compresses to relieve inflammation and concurrent pain. Vets usually ask owners to feed their dog soft or blended food for three to four weeks with no chew toys or rawhides for the same amount of time.
There should be limited activity for a given time and the mouth and throat will need to be flushed with water or an antiseptic rinse after each meal. The vet will often recommend blood tests and radiographs with regular checkups to watch for any recurrence.
Warning
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The prognosis for dogs with squamous cell carcinoma is dependent on the results of the pathology tests run on the tumor. This type of tumor, when found in the back of the mouth and throat, has a high tendency to spread very quickly and the dog needs to have a complete physical evaluation to check for metastasis.
Even with aggressive surgery and continued treatment, if the cancer has spread to the bones or other organs of the dog's body, prognosis is poor and owners and veterinary professionals will need to consider quality of life care.
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