Tonsillar Carcinoma in Dogs: Aggressive Cancer Signs & Care

Tonsillar carcinoma in dogs, also known as tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma, is a particularly aggressive and metastatic cancer that originates from the epithelial cells of a dog’s tonsils. This carcinoma affects the epithelium—the protective lining covering the body's internal and external surfaces—and can spread rapidly to other parts of the body, making it one of the most invasive cancers seen in dogs.

Dogs Most at Risk

This condition typically affects older or middle-aged dogs, often around 9 to 10 years old. Research has shown that dogs living in urban environments are up to ten times more likely to develop tonsillar carcinoma compared to those in rural areas, though some studies vary in their findings. This suggests possible environmental or lifestyle factors influencing risks for these pets.

Recognising Symptoms Early

The clinical signs of tonsillar carcinoma are often quite pronounced, making early recognition important for diagnosis and treatment planning. Common symptoms include:

• Dysphagia: difficulty eating or swallowing food
• Coughing or gagging
• Excessive drooling or hypersalivation
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Bloody discharge from the mouth
• Weight loss and lethargy
• Breathing difficulties (dyspnea)
• Visible neck masses from swollen lymph nodes due to metastasis

Diagnosing Tonsillar Carcinoma

Veterinarians diagnose this cancer through a combination of thorough physical examination, medical history, and specific tests. Key diagnosis steps include:

• Biopsy of the tonsillar mass to confirm cancer type
• Physical examination focusing on lymph nodes at the back of the neck for swelling
• Imaging techniques such as X-rays or CT scans to detect spread to lungs or bones
• Blood tests including complete blood count and biochemistry profiles
• Urinalysis to assess overall health

Treatment Approaches

Treatment options depend on the progression of the disease at diagnosis. While surgery to remove affected tonsil tissue may be recommended, tonsillar carcinoma is often advanced at the time of discovery, limiting surgical options. Treatments include:

• Surgery: Removal of tumour and possibly affected lymph nodes to slow spread
• Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy: Often recommended post-surgery to slow cancer progression; chemotherapy options are determined by specialists (oncologists)

Despite treatments, the prognosis generally remains guarded due to the tumour's invasive nature. Median survival times commonly range between 179 to 270 days, but some dogs receiving aggressive multimodal treatment, especially those without metastasis at diagnosis, may survive closer to 464 to 637 days.

Living with a Dog Diagnosed with Tonsillar Carcinoma

Caring for a dog with this diagnosis requires attention to nutrition and comfort. Post-surgery, many dogs need to be tube-fed initially while their mouth heals and they regain the ability to eat. A balanced, nutritious diet and adequate hydration are essential to support recovery.

Dogs should be kept in calm, quiet environments during recovery, with regular veterinary care and pain management prescribed to ease discomfort.

Prognosis and Quality of Life

Sadly, the prognosis of tonsillar carcinoma in dogs is often poor due to rapid metastasis and aggressive growth. Early diagnosis improves chances for prolonged quality life, but many dogs survive only a few months after diagnosis. If the cancer significantly impacts a dog's quality of life or causes severe discomfort, humane euthanasia is often considered to prevent suffering.