OROPHARYNGEAL TUMORS IN THE DOG - A SURVEY OF 79 CASES

This study presents the data on incidence, TNM-classification and ther apy outcome of 79 dogs with oropharyngeal tumors, which were admitted to the Clinic of Small Animals, Hannover School of Veterinary Medicine . 52 neoplasms were examined histologically. The most common tumors we re malignant melanoma (n = 17), fibrosarcoma (n = 5), squamous cell ca rcinoma and peripheral odontogenic fibroma (n = 4). It could be determ ined that dogs treated by surgery, regardless of tumor type and type o f surgery, had longer survival times than untreated dogs. With regard to survival time and the rate of local tumor recurrence, radical surge ry (partial mandibulectomy/maxillectomy) led to good results in squamo us cell carcinomas and invasive odontogenic tumors, but, keeping in mi nd the small number of cases, showed no advantage over conservative su rgery in malignant melanomas, fibrosarcomas, neurofibrosarcomas and no n. invasive odontogenic tumors. It could be shown that the clinical st aging of the patients was of prognostic relevance.