[Oropharyngeal tumors in dogs and cats: a review]

The literature on canine and feline oropharyngeal tumours is reviewed. Particularly in dogs, these neoplasms are not uncommon. Papillomas, and particularly epulides, are the most common benign tumours in dogs. Four types of epulides are differentiated viz. fibromatous, ossifying, acanthomatous and giant cell epulis. Acanthomatous epulides frequently infiltrate into bone locally and are potentially capable of transforming themselves into squamous cell carcinomas. Malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and fibrosarcoma are the most important malignant neoplasms which usually show a highly malignant biological character. Benign oropharyngeal tumours are uncommon in cats. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common feline neoplasm. Canine and feline odontogenic and bone tumours are briefly discussed, other uncommon oropharyngeal tumours being merely referred to.