How can you know if a lump in the mouth is cancer? In the following slide show try to decide whether or not by just looking at it if the patient has cancer:

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Now check to see if you were right:

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Treatment of a lump in the mouth is based on the right diagnosis. To diagnose any lump a fine needle aspirate or a biopsy is needed. As a biopsy is able to show the pathologist more tissue this is a better sample but it requires the pet to be anesthetized. Samples of the lymph nodes that drain the area and X-rays are also recommended to see how far the cancer has spread. In some cases advanced imaging such as ultrasound, CT scan or MRI is recommended. Once the diagnosis is made the correct treatment can be decided on.

Advanced training is recommended for diagnosis and treatment.

For more information please refer to Healthy Mouth, Healthy Pet: Why Dental Care Matters. Available at Amazon, AAHA and VIN book stores.