How Long Can a Dog Live With Oral Cancer?

We’re sorry your dog is going through this. It’s natural to want to know how much time you have together.

Unfortunately, appearance alone can’t predict life expectancy. Growths that look alike can be very different tumors, and some are benign. Outlook depends mostly on the type of tumor (found by biopsy), its size, where it is, and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or lungs. For example, small melanomas that are completely removed can carry a much better outlook than large ones, squamous cell carcinoma away from the tonsils often does well with surgery, and fibrosarcoma tends to regrow but spreads less often.

If your dog has had a biopsy, ask your vet or a veterinary oncologist what the type and stage mean for your dog. Treatment such as surgery or radiation can change the outlook a great deal, and good pain relief helps keep dogs comfortable whatever you decide. Our guide to mouth cancer in dogs covers survival figures by tumor type.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.