A Retrospective Study on the Histological and Clinical Features of 92 Feline Oral Neoplasms in Thailand

TL;DR

This study analyzed 92 cat oral tumors in Thailand and found that squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type, especially in older cats, highlighting the need for regular dental checkups.

Contribution

The study provides a detailed characterization of feline oral neoplasm types and their associations with age and disease stage in a Thai population.

Findings

Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common feline oral neoplasm (67%).

Epithelial neoplasms were more common in older cats compared to mesenchymal neoplasms.

Tumor size > 2 cm was strongly associated with advanced disease stages.

Abstract

Oral neoplasms are a common and serious problem in older cats but are often difficult to recognize early. We reviewed 92 feline oral neoplasms diagnosed in Thailand and found that most were epithelial in origin, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most frequent. Cats with epithelial neoplasms were significantly older than those with mesenchymal neoplasms. The maxillary gingiva was the most commonly affected site, and neoplasm size showed a strong correlation with disease stage, as neoplasms larger than 2 cm were typically associated with advanced stages. These findings emphasize the importance of routine oral examinations in senior cats, as early detection may improve staging accuracy and expand treatment options.

This retrospective study evaluated 92 feline oral neoplasms diagnosed in Thailand to characterize neoplasm types, anatomical distribution, and clinically relevant associations. Epithelial neoplasms accounted for 73% of all neoplasms, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most common (67%). Other epithelial neoplasms such as ameloblastoma, amelanotic melanoma, and adenocarcinoma were uncommon. Mesenchymal neoplasms (27%) were more heterogeneous, encompassing fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, lymphoma, plasma cell tumors, and several rare entities. Cats with epithelial neoplasms were significantly older than those with mesenchymal neoplasms (11.0 ± 3.8 vs. 6.8 ± 4.1 years old; p < 0.001), while body weight, sex, clinical stage, and perioperative mortality did not differ between neoplasm types. Breed distribution varied by neoplasm origin, with epithelial neoplasms more common in domestic shorthair cats, and the maxillary gingiva was the most frequently affected site. Neoplasm size strongly correlated with disease stage, as neoplasms > 2 cm were associated with advanced stages, while neoplasms ≤ 2 cm were typically stage I. Antibiotic use was significantly more frequent in senior cats compared to mature/adult cats (p = 0.014). In summary, SCC is the most common oral tumor in cats, indicating the importance of routine oral examinations, particularly in senior cats.

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