Epulides in dogs

Small Animal Section: No. 1

EPULIDES AND OTHER GINGIVAL TUMOURS IN DOGS: CLASSIFICATION, TREATMENT & PROGNOSIS

Introduction

	Epulis is a clinical term, firmly established in the veterinary literature, for any tumour or tumour-like mass on the gingiva
	The classification of epulides has generated controversy with regard to their origin and nomenclature. Some pathologists use the term epulis in their histological classification (fibromatous, ossifying and acanthomatous epulides have been described), while others have adopted an alternative method of classification, often borrowed from the human medical classification system
	The purpose of classifying the epulides histologically is to assist the clinician in predicting biological behaviour and survival rate, and formulating appropriate treatment

Classification, treatment and prognosis of epulides in dogs

	The newly published current WHO classification is included
	In the table we provide the different approaches to classification and summarise aspects of treatment and prognosis of epulides (and other odontogenic tumours)
	Peripheral tumours refer to masses within the gingiva, while central tumours occur in the deep bone of the jaw

Name of epulis	Synonyms	Biological behaviour	Treatment	Prognosis
Focal fibrous hyperplasia	Focal fibrous hyperplasia; Fibromatous and ossifying epulis	A reactive and non-neoplastic lesion; does not invade bone; may cause disruption of teeth	Gingivectomy	Excellent after complete surgical excision; re-growth is frequent
Peripheral or central ameloblastoma	Acanthomatous epulis; adamantinoma	Slowly progressive, invade bone but no metastasis	Radical surgery	Good with wide surgical excision
Fibromatous epulis of periodontal ligament origin	Peripheral odontogenic fibroma; fibromatous and ossifying epulis	Benign, possibly even reactive. May invade bone but no metastasis	Local excision	Excellent after surgical excision
Acanthomatous ameloblastoma	Acanthomatous epulis; peripheral ameloblastoma; adamantinoma; basal cell tumour	Aggressively infiltrating, also into surrounding bone, but no known metastatic potential	Surgery: Clean margins are mandatory	Recurrence after incomplete surgical excision is common
Pyogenic granuloma		Dependent on the causative organism	Remove cause; culture and antibiogram	Excellent after appropriate treatment
Other odontogenic tumours such as odontoma, cementoma etc	The classification is complex and is beyond the scope of this communication	These rare tumours are mostly infiltrative or expansive, but do not metastazise	Surgical removal	Excellent after appropriate treatment

Recent publications on epulides and oral tumours

	The Compendium Vol 20 (9): 1011-1020 & Vol 20 (10): 1109-1115 (1998)
	Canine and feline oropharyngeal neoplasms; Current Veterinary Therapy XII, 691-695 (1995)
	Histological classification of tumours of the alimentary system of domestic animals, World Health Organisation: 2003
	Tumors of the alimentary tract in: Tumors in domestic animals, 4^th ed. Meuten et al., 401-482 (2002)

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Copyright © 2004 Bill Robb & Associates
Last modified: Friday June 25, 2004