Tumors involving the oral cavity and associated structures provide a unique challenge for treatment. The main goal of oncologic surgery is to achieve tumor-free margins or to reduce the tumor to a microscopic level followed by adjuvant treatment suchas radiation and/or chemotherapy. Resection of tumors in the oral cavity requires consideration of operative goals including the ability to completely resect the tumor, provide for tension-free wound closure, and maintenance of appropriate occlusion andnormal function of the mouth and oral cavity. It is not unusual for oral tumors to be of large size at the time of diagnosis making attainment of these goals difficult. In dogs, oral malignancies account for 5.3% of all malignancies and surgery can provide a cure in some cases, or at least prolong survival time while maintaining an adequate quality of life.
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