Retrospective Study of Feline Oral Cavity Neoplasms and Non-neoplastic Lesions, Between 2010 and 2020

Abstract

Oral pathologies are common in cats, and a histopathological examination is important for their diagnosis. In this study, it was aimed to statistically determine the prevalence of oral diseases diagnosed in the pathology department, between 2010 and 2020. The oral pathologies were divided into malignant and benign neoplasms and non-neoplastic lesions, diagnosed by the hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining method. The findings revealed that malignant neoplasms (n = 69/143; 48.25%) and non-neoplastic lesions (n = 59/143; 41.25%) constituted most of the cases, whereas benign neoplasms (n = 15/143; 10.48%) were very limited. The malignant neoplasms and non-neoplastic lesions were predominantly composed of oral squamous cell carcinoma (n = 44/69; 63.76%), feline chronic gingi vostomathis (FCGS)(n = 27/59; 45.76%), and eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC) (n = 21/59; 35.59%), respectively. The patient profiles indicated that adult patients have a greater predilection for oral pathologies. Female patients (n = 72/143; 50.34%) were found slightly more predisposed than males (n = 59/143; 41.25%). Moreover, the number of mixed breeds (n = 103/143; 72.02%) was significantly higher in comparison with the pure breeds. These findings were also statistically confirmed by the chi-square test. The most commonly affected anatomical site was determined as the gingiva (n = 41/143; 28.67%). In conclusion, this study presents the prevalence and statistical confirmations of the most commonly encountered feline oral pathologies with patient profiles.