DEFINITION/OVERVIEW

• Malignant tumor of squamous epithelium
  
• Rare tumor that occurs more commonly in cats than in dogs

ETIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

• Cats: most common lingual neoplasia, usually located at the ventral base of the tongue at the frenulum; most often progresses locally prior to clinical evidence of metastasis
  
• Dogs: second most common malignant lingual neoplasia (25%); highly metastatic by way of lymphatic vessels to regional lymph nodes and lungs (37–43% at examination)
  
• Potential increased risk of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) associated with flea collars, canned food (particularly tuna), and possibly exposure to tobacco smoke

SIGNALMENT/HISTORY

• Cats: middle-aged or old (>7 years)
  
• Dogs: average 10–11 years
  
  
  
  • Females more commonly affected
    
  • Large breeds more commonly affected, especially poodles, Labrador retrievers, Samoyeds
  
  
• Excessive salivation ulceration
  
• Halitosis
  
• Dysphagia or difficulty prehending food
  
• Bloody oral discharge
  
• Decreased appetite
  
• Weight loss
  
• Poor grooming (cats)

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Incidental
  
• Tongue mass: may be small, white, cauliflower-like, nodular lesions with a broad base on examination
  
• Facial swelling or deformity
  
• Intramandibular swelling (cats)
  
• Cervical lymphadenomegaly: occasionally

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• Other lingual malignancy (melanoma, sarcoma)
  
• Trauma
  
• Ulcerative glossitis
  
• Benign lesion (papilloma)
  
• Infection/abscess

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