Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma is an invasive type of cancer. Affected cats tend to have tumor-related pain and may not eat. Let’s look at some signs of squamous cell carcinoma and what treatment options may be available for your cat.
What is Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant cancer with a tendency to be locally invasive. It usually starts in the tissues of your cat’s mouth, but it can spread further, even to the bone. Common areas where squamous cell carcinoma occurs are the gums and palate.
This cancer is the most commonly diagnosed oral cancer in cats. It can be found accidentally during a routine exam or dental cleaning. Squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes and lungs. If your veterinarian suspects squamous cell carcinoma, they should palpate your cat’s lymph nodes and take radiographs (X-rays) of the cat’s chest to look for metastasis.
What Are the Signs of Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Cats with oral tumors often have problems eating. The tumor can cause pain, but it can also interfere with your cat’s ability to chew. You may see your cat go to the food bowl but refuse to eat.
Signs you may see at home with oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats include:
- Hard to eat
- Reluctance to eat
- Brings food out of their mouths
- Swelling or deformity in the face
- Drooling, especially on one side of the mouth
- The saliva is blood-stained
- Rub on the face
- Severe halitosis
- Weight loss
What Causes Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma can also appear in other parts of your cat, such as around its ears or nose. In these cases, it is most likely caused by sun damage or exposure to UV rays, but trauma can also be a cause.
Sun exposure is more likely to cause cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma. These cats are likely to be affected by chronic inflammation caused by severe periodontal disease.
Diagnosing Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Your Cat
Your cat should receive a physical exam at least one to two times per year to check for physical abnormalities, but you should also strongly consider an annual dental cleaning under anesthesia. Your veterinarian will use this time to carefully examine your cat’s mouth. At the same time, it sleeps under anesthesia, placing the back of its mouth and under its tongue.
If your vet finds a suspicious lesion in your cat’s mouth, they will likely recommend a fine needle aspirate for cytology or biopsy. Options include:
- A fine needle aspirate is the least invasive method for obtaining cells for examination under a microscope. However, this is more likely to lead to a missed diagnosis.
- An incisional biopsy means your veterinarian will take a small portion of the lesion and submit it to a pathologist for examination.
- An excisional biopsy involves surgery to remove the entire mass and submit it for examination.
Your veterinarian may start with a blood test and radiographs (X-rays). Blood work usually checks your cat’s red blood cell levels (to make sure he’s not anemic), kidney enzymes, and blood sugar levels. Radiographs help to check for lung or stomach metastasis. Unfortunately, a CT scan is usually required to determine how invasive the mass is, giving your vet an idea of whether surgery is possible.
How Do I Care for a Cat With Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
If your cat is diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma, your veterinarian may refer it to a surgical specialist. Some referral hospitals have surgeons and oncologists who work closely with treating these pets.
Operation
Surgery may be an option for your cat and is often the first-line recommended treatment option. If the mass is small, the entire area can be removed, but sometimes veterinarians settle for debulking as much of the area as possible. Your veterinarian may remove some underlying tissue or bone if the tumor has invaded local tissues. The vet will also likely sample nearby or draining lymph nodes to help the pet better understand possible spread.
Postoperative care for cats after major oral surgery can be intensive. Your cat may need a feeding tube placed, which may be a temporary or permanent fixture in your cat’s care.
Radiation
Radiation therapy can produce better long-term results than simply removing the mass, especially if it is found early and when the squamous cell carcinoma is small. Veterinary oncologists may use radiation treatments to shrink the mass or to delay tumor growth.
Palliative Treatments
If other treatments are not feasible, due to cost, location, or compromise on the remaining quality of your cat’s life, your veterinarian will likely recommend palliative care or hospice care.
Palliative care treats the underlying cause of your cat’s discomfort with pain medications or anti-inflammatories such as Onsior (robenacoxib). Radiation therapy is sometimes used as a form of palliative care to try and stabilize the size of the tumor.
Some cases of squamous cell carcinoma become severely ulcerated and infected. In these cases, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotic medication.
If your cat has trouble eating, your vet may insert a feeding tube to allow it to be syringe-fed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the prognosis for a cat with squamous cell carcinoma?
The prognosis for a cat with squamous cell carcinoma is quite poor. The North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine estimates that less than 10% of cats diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma are alive after one year.
Can squamous cell carcinoma occur in parts of the body other than the mouth?
Squamous cell carcinoma can develop anywhere on your cat’s body other than their mouth. It often occurs in places like your cat’s ears or on your cat’s face and is more common in areas that may be exposed to a lot of UV light.
Conclusion
Squamous cell carcinoma is a scary diagnosis for our feline family members. Although there are several treatment options, usually the location of the cancer limits how effective surgery or radiation can be. Your veterinarian will help you develop a treatment plan to keep your cat as comfortable as possible.
Featured Image Credit: MeowDr, Shutterstock
