Oral tumours in dogs: a retrospective study of 110 cases (2002-2014)

Abstract

Biopsy files of 110 canine oral neoplasms submitted to the Veterinary Pathology Department of Utrecht University between 2002 and 2014 were reviewed. These biopsies were submitted by the Small Animal Clinic, Utrecht University where the animals were presented after being referred by veterinarians throughout the Netherlands. The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence of different types of tumours, sex, breed, location, lymph node swelling, bone infiltration or lysis, metastasis to other organs and recurrence. Acanthomatous ameloblastoma, fibrosarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma were most frequently found. Together, these tumours made up 62,9% of all tumours found in 110 patients. The breeds that were overpresented included the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Flatcoated Retriever, Berner Sennen, Rottweiler, Jack Russell, Schapendoes and Boxer. In these breeds, 3 or more tumours were found. Acanthomatous ameloblastoma made up 19,1% of all tumours. A male predisposition was found, with 17 males and 4 females diagnosed. The mean age of presentation was 6,5 years and the tumour was mainly located in the mandible. Of these cases, 3 were presented at the Small Animal Clinic with a recurrent tumour after primary surgery by the referring veterinarian. Two cases showed regional lymph node swelling and 1 case showed signs of osteolysis. Fibrosarcoma made up 16,4% of all tumours. A female predisposition was found, with 7 males and 11 females diagnosed. The mean age of presentation was 7,1 years and the tumour was mainly located in the maxilla. Of these cases, 6 were referred to the Small Animal Clinic with a recurrent tumour after primary surgery by the referring veterinarian. Two cases showed a local recurrence of the tumour after surgery at the Small Animal Clinic. Squamous cell carcinoma made up 15,6% of all tumours. A male predisposition was found, with 12 males and 5 females diagnosed. The mean age of presentation was 8,2 years and the tumour was mainly located in the mandible. Of these cases, 9 were presented with a recurrent tumour after primary surgery by the referring veterinarian. Two cases showed signs of bone infiltration and 1 case showed angiogenesis in the tumour. Melanoma made up 11,8% of all tumours. No sex predisposition was found, with 6 males and 7 females diagnosed. The mean age of presentation was 9,0 years and the tumour was mainly located in the mandible. Of these cases, 5 were presented with a recurrent tumour after primary surgery by the referring veterinarian and 5 cases showed signs of regional lymph node swelling.