+ Biologic Behavior
- Tonsillar SCC associated with environmental pollution as 10-times more common in urban areas
- Tonsillar SCC are usually plaque or cauliflower lesions involving 1 tonsil
- Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common signs (ipsilateral, contralateral, or bilateral)
- Metastasis to the regional lymph node in 98% and lungs in 63% dogs
- Other tonsillar tumors:
- LSA (usually bilateral and associated with generalized lymphadenopathy)
- Malignant melanoma (metastatic or primary)
+ Treatment
- Surgery: tonsillectomy is rarely curative
- Radiation therapy: 75% control of local disease
- Chemotherapy is usually ineffective, but piroxicam, cisplatin, and bleomycin have been used with limited success
+ Prognosis
12-month survival rate < 10%