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Tumor of the jaw in dogs and cats - detailed information. A cat with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower jaw will die on its own or be euthanized

Pathologies oral cavity This is a rare occurrence in cats. Most often, old or weakened animals encounter neoplasms, inflammatory processes and bacterial lesions of the mouth and jaw. Tumor of the lower jaw in cats is difficult to treat home treatment and is difficult to diagnose, so you should contact your veterinarian. The results of the X-ray examination will allow us to draw conclusions about the nature of the tumor.

If your cat's lower jaw is swollen, probable cause diseases of the oral cavity appear. In older cats we're talking about about dental diseases. With age, they lose hardness and begin to crumble. Any microcracks in the enamel lead to the development pathological process, the result of which is complete decay of the tooth. In cats, the roots of the teeth are located deep in the gum tissue, so tooth decay can lead to the formation of a seal on the lower jaw. Associated symptoms:

  • refusal to eat;
  • jaw turned to one side;
  • lethargy and weakness;
  • no pain when pressed.

Typically, animals experiencing dental problems refuse to eat. At the same time, the cat experiences severe hunger and can in every possible way attract attention to its own bowl, but as soon as it is filled, the pet will turn away and leave. This is because chewing food causes pain.

The structure of the tumor will tell you about the possible causes. If a hard neoplasm is noticeable upon palpation, and the cat breaks out and does not allow itself to be touched, possible reason a cyst of the lower jaw protrudes. This neoplasm can be caused by dental diseases and is an overgrowth of bone tissue in the lower jaw.

If upon palpation there is a soft and heterogeneous structure, a possible cause is an abscess, the development of which is due to the presence pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity. This happens when pathogenic agents penetrate deeply into the root of the tooth. The abscess needs to be opened surgically, however, there are cases when it breaks through on its own.

Diseases of the oral cavity and teeth in cats are indicated by foul odor from the mouth and disruption of the jaw movement during eating. This pathology can only be treated surgically - it is necessary to remove rotten teeth, open an abscess or cyst. If the abscess has opened on its own, you should carry out antiseptic treatment to avoid secondary infection of the wound cavity. During surgical removal, the doctor mandatory prescribes antibiotics to prevent infection of healthy oral tissues.

Malignant and benign neoplasms

Malignant tumors in the mouth of animals are rare. However, if the jaw of a cat over 13 years of age is swollen, cancer can only be ruled out after comprehensive examination animal.

There are usually no specific symptoms for jaw cancer. The animal may become lethargic and refuse to eat, but these same signs accompany an abscess and dental problems. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to take an X-ray of the jaw and take a blood test to identify the inflammatory process. If the presence of a tumor is confirmed, an operation is performed to remove it, followed by tissue examination. For malignant neoplasms, animals are prescribed a course of chemotherapy.

The danger of malignant neoplasms is that they are rarely accompanied by significant symptoms. A jaw tumor at the beginning of development manifests itself in the same way as dental problems, but can cost the cat his life.

In osteosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the jaw, pain syndrome. The animal cannot chew, drink water, and does not allow the affected area to be touched. In some cases, syringe feeding may be necessary. It is important not to try to treat your pet on your own, but to visit a doctor in a timely manner.

The cat's jaw is swollen photo







Other reasons

Swelling of the lower jaw and lips in cats can be caused by household injuries. An older cat may accidentally scratch his lip when chewing hard food. As a result, it will swell and upon external examination it will appear that it is a swollen jaw. Burns to which animals that like to chew wires or taste food on the stove are also susceptible. Despite the apparent harmlessness, household injuries should be treated. Any wounds and damage should be treated with an antiseptic; for burns, use special means to speed up healing.

Unfortunately, cancer also affects pets. Today the situation has progressed a little better side with the development of new drugs, treatments and vaccines. However, not all pathologies can be cured, and it is not always possible to prolong the life of pets.

The occurrence of cancer in cats

Factors causing cancer at the moment have not yet been fully clarified.

Many experts believe that the main factor may be incorrect content pet, inattentive attention to its problems, ignoring minor symptoms and untimely treatment.

Improper maintenance of cats can lead to cancer.

Low quality feed

Low-quality feed contains carcinogens that disrupt the cellular genome.

One of the reasons is precisely low quality feed saturated with preservatives, chemical additives to improve taste qualities and smells. The carcinogens present there provoke disruption of the cellular genome, resulting in cell mutation, tissue degeneration and tumor formation.

If a cat refuses to eat food, this is a reason to think about it.

Cancer viruses

However, one should not discount cancer viruses, of which there are more than a hundred species.

Oncological viruses can appear in a cat due to stress.

Such viruses are present in the body of most animals in a dormant state, and any pathological factor contributes to their “waking up”. Such factors may be:

  • stress;
  • incorrectly selected diet, low quality feed;
  • frequent illnesses;
  • infection;
  • helminthic infestation;
  • long-term chronic processes;
  • wrong treatment.

Genetic predisposition

We should not forget about genetic predisposition.

Obesity can often cause cancer.

Often, oncology can be caused by poor diet and, as a consequence, obesity. Failure of hormonal balance, prolonged stay of the animal in bad conditions content. Large dose of radiation, sedentary lifestyle, limited access to fresh air. Oncological cat diseases are not dangerous to humans.

Types and stages of cancer in cats

Transformation of cells and tissues can occur in any organ, in any system of the body. There is no special predisposition.

Transformation of cells and tissues can occur in any organ.

Neoplasms distinguished by type : benign and malignant tumors.

Benign tumors

Benign neoplasms are characterized by slow progress, absence of pain, and absence. Surgical removal of such tumors usually results in full recovery cats.

Surgical removal benign tumors leads to the cat's recovery.

Malignant tumors

Tumors of a malignant nature manifest themselves with more severe symptoms.

There is increased growth of pathogenic cells and bleeding. The growth of foci of affected tissue - metastases - to other nearby organs and tissues. On late stages severe pain syndrome appears. Such neoplasms very rarely respond complete cure, especially in the last stages, which are manifested by the presence of metastases.

Malignant tumors are rarely completely curable.

Types of formations

There are different types formations: sarcoma - spread of pathogenic cells throughout the body, without reference to to a certain body, skin cancer, reproductive system oncology, breast cancer.

Skin cancer in a cat.

Stages

According to the development of the pathological process, four stages are distinguished.

During the first stage, a small cancerous nodule appears.

  1. During the first stage a small cancerous nodule , possibly consisting of several degenerated cells. Such compaction does not give rise to metastases and is completely curable.
  2. The second stage is manifested by the progressive growth of the neoplasm, growth into the depths of the affected organ, “capture” lymphatic system in the form of metastases.
  3. The onset of the third stage slows down the growth of the tumor itself, but allows metastases to grow throughout the body.
  4. The most severe and already incurable stage is the fourth. The entire body is affected and ends fatal.

Main symptoms of cancer

At oncological diseases the cat becomes depressed and lethargic.

Depending on the location of the lesion, different symptoms will occur.

  1. The first stage is usually is asymptomatic , and it is extremely difficult to notice the presence of a tumor. This is why systematic full medical examination animal, allowing you to notice the problem in time.
  2. Then there is a decrease in appetite, sharp decline weight.
  3. The coat becomes dull, lumps form, and the overall appearance is unkempt.
  4. The pet is depressed, lethargic, reluctant to make contact.
  5. Light scratches or wounds do not heal well, and nosebleeds are possible.
  6. Failure of natural processes - defecation, urination.
  7. Difficulty breathing, possible shortness of breath, unpleasant odor.
  8. In the area of ​​the mammary glands in females, a painful compaction is felt.

    9. On early stages positive result will allow surgical removal of the tumor.

    Complex therapeutic measures depends on the degree of damage and stage of the disease.

  • In the early stages, surgical removal of the tumor and subsequent use of chemotherapy will give a positive result.
  • The use of maintenance therapy will help to slightly prolong the life of your pet: heart medications, painkillers.
  • In the final stages, the animal is euthanized so as not to prolong the agony.

Video about a tumor in a cat

Squamous cell carcinoma in cats develops from epithelial cells on the skin or in the mouth. In the first case, it is sometimes called solar dermatitis, although it has no inflammatory processes no relation. In the second case, cancer develops in the mucous membrane of the upper or lower jaw.

The complexity of this disease varies, usually it is malignancy, which has low dissemination. Localized on the skin squamous cell carcinoma In cats, it is treated mainly surgically. Small tumors in the mouth are cut out, and larger tumors are treated with radiation or chemotherapy.

Cancer comes from small round and flat epithelial cells that are quite poorly differentiated. They can look like small cells with a relatively large nucleus and a small cytoplasm. Or vice versa, have the appearance of large angular non-keratized cells with fairly voluminous cytoplasm, smaller nuclei, and pericellular vacuolization.

This pathology occurs in 15% of cats. The cause of swelling on the skin is prolonged contact with sun rays. TO similar type The disease occurs in cats living in hot and warm climates. However, squamous cell carcinoma also occurs in pets in northern latitudes, so getting rid of excess UV rays does not guarantee protection from this pathology.

Most often, the tumor occurs on non-pigmented areas of the skin, or where there is little hair. The greatest risk of getting skin cancer is in animals with white fur or light spots on it..

Important! How older age animal and more time being outdoors, the greater the chance of developing a tumor.

Squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity can develop on the tongue, under it, on the upper palate, in the tonsil area. It is believed that the development of cancer in the mouth is associated with the cat's habit of licking its fur. Carcinogens on fur can come from anti-flea or anti-tick medications. Risk is affected by chronic inflammation, in particular, the likelihood of developing cancer is greater in pets with chronic stomatitis.

Symptoms of the disease

They differ somewhat depending on where the tumor is located.

Skin cancer

Unfortunately, the tumor does not have specific signs, on early stages The following symptoms may be observed:

  • Slowly healing wounds on the skin.
  • Ulcers, abrasions that do not disappear for a long time.
  • Non-healing purple spots of unknown etiology, similar to red cauliflower.
  • Hair loss is often noticeable on the damaged area of ​​skin.
  • Cancerous ulcers are small, crusty, bleeding erosions with convex edges.
  • When infected, they may have an abnormal color coating and an unpleasant smell.
  • Typically, all these pathologies are observed at the tips of the ears, nose, and corners of the mouth.

As you can see, these signs can easily be mistaken for an infectious or invasive lesion, which often happens. In addition, wounds often become infected, increasing the resemblance to bacterial disease. Cancer is suspected when see a lack of response to treatment and when the ulcers continue to grow, despite antibiotics and antiviral drugs.

Oral cancer

In the mouth, at the first stage, squamous cell carcinoma looks like ulcers and erosions that periodically fester, which is why a strong discharge comes from the animal’s mouth. bad smell. Owners discover a pathology when cancer prevents the cat from eating normally, causing the pet to lose weight.

Teeth mobility, bleeding from the gums, profuse salivation gradually develop, and sometimes pathological discharge from the nose (if localized in upper jaw). Later, the tumor becomes so large that the curvature of the jaws is visible even from the outside. In this case, pathological fractures may occur.

Diagnostics

An initial examination of a pet by a specialist will not provide the necessary data even for making a diagnosis. It is necessary to carry out histological examination scraping, biopsy, ulcer impression. After this, the presence or absence of metastases should be determined. For this purpose, biochemical and general analysis blood.

Lymph nodes and lungs must be carefully examined using x-rays, 3 projections must be made chest to determine the presence or absence of metastases. If possible, CT or MRI should be used as they provide more information. It is also necessary to perform cytology or histology of the lymph node biopsy.

Forecast

In cats with squamous cell skin cancer, the prognosis depends on the differentiation of the cancer tissue and the size of the tumor. Small, well-differentiated tumors have an optimistic prognosis, while large ones without clear tumor boundaries have an unfavorable prognosis.

For jaw cancer in the absence of metastases and successful surgery, the prognosis is favorable. If the tumor has metastasized to regional lymph nodes, then the prognosis strongly depends on the histological type of the tumor. With metastases in other organs, the prognosis is unfavorable.

Cancer treatment

Treatment depends on where the squamous cell carcinoma is located: on the skin or in the mouth.

Skin cancer

If treatment is started on time, it will be completely successful. First, the boundaries of the tumor are determined, which is extremely important for surgical removal tumors. Treatment requires early surgery with removal of affected areas. Minor tumors can be removed by laser ablation.

Since squamous cell carcinoma does not spread widely on the skin, the prognosis is favorable if the resection boundaries are correctly drawn. For example, if the tumor is located in the ear, the entire auricle, this will not only protect the animal from relapse, but will also make its appearance aesthetic.

Surgical removal works very well for initial stages disease, as well as if the tumor is localized on the animal’s fingers or ears. If regional lymph nodes and other organs are affected, only chemotherapy is possible.

Localization can also be a problem tumors on the tip of the nose. In this case, radical resection is often resorted to, in which the nose is removed along with the pterygoid cartilages down to the base of the upper jaw. The area is then reconstructed by moving skin flaps from adjacent areas.

Inoperable tumors can be treated radiation therapy, they can also be destroyed with chemotherapy. Namely, local injection of cisplatin, carboplatin, 5-fluorouracil. Artificial local hyperthermia is also appropriate.

Systemic chemotherapy is ineffective for squamous cell carcinoma, since it affects the epidermis - the upper layers of the skin, which are relatively poorly supplied with blood. Thus, the internal organs will bear the brunt of chemotherapy, and cancer cells on the surface of the skin will be virtually undamaged. Therefore, systemic chemotherapy is used only in the presence of metastases.

Oral cancer

Surgical treatment is preferable in most cases. However, squamous cell carcinoma can affect bone tissue located under the mucosa. When the tumor is localized in the upper jaw, it spreads to the palate and nasal sinuses; when located under the tongue, it spreads to the lower jaw.

Squamous cell carcinoma showed low sensitivity to radiation Moreover, when it spreads to the deeper layers of the mucous membrane (which is often observed), relapses of the disease may occur. If possible, radiation can be combined with radical resection, which reduces the risk of metastasis.

Prevention

There are several simple rules that can prevent squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and its severe consequences:

  • You should not let the animal out for a long time in bright sunshine, especially from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • If the animal is outside on a hot day, it is better to place it in the shade from the sun.
  • Having discovered the first symptoms solar dermatitis, you should immediately contact your nearest veterinarian.
  • Most the best prevention This disease requires early diagnosis and subsequent treatment, so you need to be attentive to your pets.

This disease is easily treatable in its early stages, but is deadly if it goes undetected. This is why a quick diagnosis is crucial here.

If you occasionally take your cat to the vet for routine medical examination, you may have noticed that the veterinarian is carefully examining the cat's face, gently stroking the nose and ears. This is not just a show of caring. This is how your veterinarian looks for tiny, bumpy sores on your cat's skin that may indicate the development of squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer that, if caught early stage, can be easily cured. However, if such skin sores are left untreated, the cancer can progress, spread to other parts of the body and ultimately lead to the death of the animal.

Squamous cells are smooth, irregularly shaped cells that make up the outer layer of the epithelium, the tissue that covers the outer and inner surface organs in a cat's body. These unique cells perform many diverse functions - from protecting the organs they cover to participating in metabolism nutrients. On average, skin cancer is the second most common type of cancer in cats, after lymphoma. Squamous cell carcinoma ranks fourth among types of skin cancer - after basal cancer, mastocytoma and fibrosarcoma.

Causes of squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma can be caused by a variety of things, such as physical trauma or severe burns, that damage the squamous cells. However, the most common cause is overexposure sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation exposure to sunlight damages a cat's DNA, causing cells to divide and multiply uncontrollably. Tumors resulting from sun exposure are most common in cats that have fair or white color, on parts of the body where there is little or no hair. At the same time, squamous cell carcinoma can also occur in dark-colored cats on hairy areas of the body. This disorder, called Bowen's disease, may be related to exposure to a virus rather than the sun.

The most common parts of a cat's body that squamous cell carcinoma affects are the temples, the outer tips of the ears ( outer ear), eyelids, lips and nose. In about one third of cases, multiple parts of the body are affected.

Squamous cell tumors are relatively common in the oral cavity. Oral tumors account for only about three percent of cat cancers. However, of this three percent, approximately three quarters are squamous cell tumors, so this is the first thing a veterinarian suspects when examining a cat with serious defeat in the mouth.

Sometimes, although quite rarely, carcinomas develop in the liver, lungs and other internal organs. It is widely believed that these tumors are caused by exposure to certain carcinogens. environment, especially tobacco smoke, which, however, has not been confirmed by scientific research.

Signs

External tumors of squamous cell carcinoma are usually solitary, small and poorly defined, with rough, irregular borders. The area near the tumor may be slightly pink. In addition, baldness may occur. The sore on the skin is usually ulcerated and oozes fluid, and its surface may be concave or, conversely, curved. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually invasive at its site of origin but usually spreads (metastasizes) slowly. Initially, the wound on the skin will appear insignificant, similar to a small scab or small scratch. Over time, it may even peel off and your cat's skin will look normal again. But eventually - in a few months or a year - it will appear again.

If you do not apply for medical care, the wound will gradually ulcerate. As the tumor progresses, swelling will occur in the affected area. This will most likely be accompanied by superficial tissue damage around the wound as the cancer progresses into deeper epithelial areas. And if it eventually metastasizes to the regional lymph node, from there it can spread to other areas of the body.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is especially easy to miss early because this type of cancer presents with ulcerated gums and weakened teeth that fit the symptoms various diseases teeth.

Treatment

The diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma is confirmed by biopsy. In the early stage, there are several treatment options. The affected area of ​​a cat's nose or ears can be removed surgically, and multiple facial lesions can be successfully treated with radiation therapy as long as the lesion is less than two millimeters deep.

In addition, some veterinarians use cryotherapy, destroying the tumor by freezing. In some cases, injecting chemotherapy agents directly into the tumor may help. When squamous cell carcinoma occurs in the oral cavity, a combination of surgery and radiation therapy is used successfully. However, the success of this approach directly depends on the stage at which the cancer is detected.

For more late stages can be carried out full course radiation, but even this aggressive treatment approach is unlikely to be successful if the tumor has spread to other organs of the body. This is why it is extremely important to pay attention to even the smallest lesions on your cat's skin. Careful monitoring will reveal potential dangerous defeats at an early stage, when the tumor is still treatable.

Take seriously the appearance of a suspicious sore on your cat's nose, ears, eyelids, lips or any other hairless part of the body. Also remember that excessive salivation, weight loss, bad breath, swelling of the upper or lower jaw, and decreased appetite may be signs of oral squamous cell carcinoma. If there is any suspicious sign, contact your veterinarian immediately. With this you can save your pet's life.