What are Cancerous and Noncancerous Mouth Growths?
A growth in the mouth of your dog is defined as either malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). Diagnostic tests are the most accurate way to determine the origin of the growth, and to decide on the best plan of action. It is very important to bring your dog to the veterinarian for regular check-ups in order to assure quality and timely oral care.
Cancerous tumors, along with other types of swelling of oral tissues in the mouth are a somewhat common occurrence in dogs. Many oral growths in dogs, fortunately, have a high success rate of complete resolution if the growth is found early. Identification of the tumor is crucial. Benign lumps generally grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant growths can spread quickly to lymph nodes and organs, thus proving the need for prompt removal upon diagnosis.
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Symptoms of Cancerous and Noncancerous Mouth Growths in Dogs
Not all dogs who have an oral mass will display obvious symptoms. You may discover it as you brush their teeth (this should be a part of your daily dog care routine). Your canine may show pronounced symptoms of a growth as follows:
- Pawing or rubbing at their face (usually indicates pain)
- Visible sores
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Tooth displacement
- Chattering of teeth (can indicate pain)
- Not wanting to chew (may mean pain)
- Drooling
- Redness in mouth
- Swelling and ulceration in mouth
- Halitosis (unpleasant odor in the mouth)
Types
There are many types of growths that can be found in the canine mouth.
Cancerous (Malignant)
A cancerous mass will often invade the underlying tissues of the mouth. The most common forms are:
- Melanoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Fibrosarcoma
- Acanthomatous ameloblastoma
Noncancerous (Benign)
A noncancerous lump can occur due to instances of infection in oral tissue and are often tooth associated. These growths can be seen as:
- Osteomas
- Odontomas
- Fibromas
- Granulomas
Causes of Cancerous and Noncancerous Mouth Growths in Dogs
The growths found in a dog’s mouth may be identical in outward appearance. However, the severity of the harm they can do will depend on the type of tumor. Further investigation is paramount in order to assure a return to full health for your dog. Causes for a growth may be:
- Older, male dogs are diagnosed with oral cancer more so than younger canines, or their female counterparts
- Dogs with dark pigmented mucosa are more often diagnosed with cancerous growths
- Periodontal disease can lead to a noncancerous lump
- A damaged salivary gland may prompt the development of a growth
- The most common noncancerous growth is a tumor of the periodontal ligament (called an epulid)
Diagnosis of Cancerous and Noncancerous Mouth Growths in Dogs
The diagnosis of the growth will include the answer to a very important question. How far does the growth extend into the surrounding tissue? Dental radiographs of the mass will be done first. A biopsy taken from the growth will be necessary in order to get a microscopic view of the growth.
It should be noted that sometimes a growth can be removed at the time of biopsy (excisional biopsy). Although, in the majority of cases the veterinarian will resort to an incisional biopsy. An incisional biopsy will be performed to accurately determine the type of growth and the best avenue of treatment. The biopsy will be transferred to a pathologist for examination.
Depending on the initial diagnosis of the growth, further tests may be required such as chest x-ray, abdominal x-ray, and lymph node biopsy, particularly in the case of a cancerous growth. It is imperative to determine the extent that the cancer has spread.
Treatment of Cancerous and Noncancerous Mouth Growths in Dogs
A growth in the mouth is abnormal, no matter what the cause. Fortunately, noncancerous growths have a good prognosis for complete eradication. This is because benign lumps do not invade bone or spread to other tissues and have well-defined borders. Removal is often a simple surgery. Note, these growths can return.
Cancerous growths are more complicated. Surgery will most often include a removal of some of the surrounding oral tissue along with the growth, in order to eliminate the mass in it’s entirety. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may follow the surgery.
For example:
- Melanoma
- This cancer appears in the soft tissue cells of the tongue, cheeks, and jaws. There is a high rate of metastasis (spread) to the lymph nodes and lungs. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are the usual courses of treatment.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- This is a painful cancer that is found in mouth and throat tissues. Though the prognosis of recovery can be good, metastasis can be aggressive if not caught early. Due to the wide range of cancers and their unique characteristics, veterinarians must decide on a treatment course case by case. There are oral cancers that have a rare chance of spread, such as Fibrosarcoma. Others, like Osteosarcoma (originating in the bone) are extremely aggressive necessitating a longer, more invasive treatment.
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Recovery of Cancerous and Noncancerous Mouth Growths in Dogs
The length of recovery time for your dog will depend upon the surgery, as well as the need for follow-up radiation and chemotherapy.
A noncancerous growth can often be removed quite easily. It has been shown that canines recover fairly quickly from oral surgery and may be back to normal behavior within a day or two. Medication will be prescribed for pain if needed. A change in diet may be recommended until your dog’s mouth has completely healed from the surgery. Daily brushing of teeth and a weekly inspection of your pet’s mouth should be the norm, in order to check for a new or returning growth.
A canine cancer patient has a longer road of recovery ahead. Frequent visits to the clinic will be needed in order to assure that your dog is responding to the cancer treatments. As well, a dog who has had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor will have had in many cases, a large amount of tissue or bone that surrounded the growth, removed. This may mean a period of adjustment for your dog. It is known, however, that dogs often adjust to oral changes quickly without too much interruption to their eating habits.
Paying to treat cancerous and non-cancerous mouth growths out of pocket can be a major financial burden. Fortunately, most pet insurance companies reimburse claims within 3 days, putting 90% of the bill back in your pocket. In the market for pet insurance? Compare leading pet insurance companies to find the right plan for your pet.
Cancerous and Noncancerous Mouth Growths Average Cost
From 17 quotes ranging from $4,000 - $15,000
Average Cost
$10,000
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Cancerous and Noncancerous Mouth Growths Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Cattle dog/border collie mix
Stella
11-14
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
Last week my vet found a growth on my dog's tongue...little smaller than a marble and I am deciding whether surgery is the right answer. She is a rescue i have had her for 9 yrs so she's at least 11 and probably older. 2 1/5 years ago had surgery for mamary cancer (I had her spayed soon as I got her but not soon enough to avoid the cancer). She was recently diagnosed with kidney disease and is on a renal diet. Given her age and kidney issues not sure what right answer is..my vet said that whatever I decide will be the right thing. There are pros and cons to surgery/no surgery. My main decision factor is what will make her most comfortable for whatever time she has left.
Sept. 9, 2017
1 Recommendations
Whilst I cannot examine Stella and don’t know the severity of her kidney disease, I would recommend the surgery as it seems that your Veterinarian seems comfortable about Stella and her prognosis after surgery; if your Veterinarian had doubts, he wouldn’t give a surgery recommendation. If you don’t do the surgery, the growth may grow to a size where it is painful and causes difficulty whilst eating; but ultimately the decision is yours. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 9, 2017
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Pyrenees/ Golden Retriever/ Mix
Oprah
11-12
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
No Barking At A
Doesn'T Want To Drink
Lack Of Appetite
Whole- Body Stiffness
Slow Movement
Sleeping Only On Her Side
HI, I have an 11-12 year old Pyranees/ Golden Retriever mix, she is black in color with black and pink gums. I noticed an oral growth on her gums near her teeth, she finally chewed through it and the vet gave me anti-biotics for her abscess on her throat. I was told that without the funds to perform a biopsy, they have no hard proof of cancer, but the oral growth looks it, as it has increased in size. They told me I may be lucky if i have three months with her, and the surgery they are already considering would cut her jaw bone out near the growth, and give her a lopsided appearance with her tongue hanging out. The other option is to put her down if she doesn't eat for longer than a week. Is this really the only option I have if I cannot afford treatment? She already hasn't eaten in two days.
Aug. 30, 2017
1 Recommendations
It is not possible to say with any certainty whether or not an oral mass is cancerous or not without a biopsy; surgical excision with wide margins is the best course of treatment especially if the mass is causing pain, discomfort or difficulty whilst eating. I cannot comment on Oprah’s condition as I haven’t examined her, but without a biopsy and if she is having difficulty eating it would be best to have the mass surgically removed. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 30, 2017
Please read response to Missy's mom. There are many organizations that will donate as well income based clinics. Xo 0;).
Jan. 3, 2018
Ms.Carlucci
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Weimaraner
Falko
11
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Drooling
Took our 11 year old male Weim to vet b/c he had been drooling on and off so we looked in his mouth and he has a growth on the back of his throat. :( Vet said that all mouth tumors are not good. His is about the size of a small plums smashed against the back of the throat. He eats and drinks and has no issues. He did give me some pills to help with inflammation. I am wondering at his age and the size of tumor if it is worth taking him to Purdue Vet hospital in Lafayette? Your previous comments quoted $4k-$10k YIKES but nothing is 100% guaranteed.. Just looking for some advise.
Thanks!
Aug. 30, 2017
1 Recommendations
At 11 years old Falko should be OK with surgery if he is otherwise healthy; masses in the mouth and throat can be very bad news in many cases but if caught quickly and treated effectively you will give Falko the best chance. I cannot guarantee anything and pricing is highly variable depending on different cases, complexity and level of perioperative care; I would recommend at least consulting with the Purdue Veterinary Hospital as they will be able to give you an accurate quote for Falko and will talk about his specific prognosis. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 30, 2017
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Boxer Mix
Bella
3.5 years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Drooling
Growth In Mouth
My dog had a white growth on her tongue that the vet diagnosed as Canine PV & gave her antibiotics to treat. It went away & another growth has now come up on her gums & under 1 tooth (the tooth has fallen out sometime previously). It's pretty big, bleeding, doesn't look like the previous lump & discolored to light pink, has grown rapidly in the last 1.5 months since I first noticed it, smells terrible, is affecting her appetite & causing lethargy. The vet diagnosed this as probably cancer, she's on antibiotics & the vet says that if it doesn't shrink a bit it's most probably a fast-metasizing cancer. Should I get another opinion or get a biopsy to be sure or as the vet says is it almost certain to be cancer?
Aug. 30, 2017
2 Recommendations
The best course of action would be to have the mass removed from the gum as well as a dental cleaning if required and send the mass off for histopathology so we know what Bella is dealing with, also the mass is causing trouble for her when eating so removing it will make it more comfortable for her to eat. There are many type of growths in the oral cavity which may appear, without biopsy it is difficult to distinguish many of them. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 30, 2017
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Cancerous and Noncancerous Mouth Growths Average Cost
From 17 quotes ranging from $4,000 - $15,000
Average Cost
$10,000
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