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My cat has an oozing, bleeding face spot. Is it SCC or a tumor?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 11 years and 2 months old | 10 lbs

Hi, our cat has a spot on her face that is oozing & bleeding at times. The Vet said it was SCC and they wanted to do surgery. I don't want to put her thru a surgery that would remove part of her face & Jaw. i have been looking for pictures on line and what i have seen as being SCC doesn't really look like what she has.. Or maybe i just am hoping. If you could please give me your opnion i would appreciate it. Also, do you think this is painful? she is curr on antibiotics and pain med. tk u!

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on June 28th, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely a malignant tumor unfortunately. Cats are very well known for having a mouth tumor called squamous cell carcinoma which carries a poor prognosis. However, it could still be something else and this is quite inside of the mouth unless there is also tumor on the inside. The only way to know is by doing some sampling via fine needle aspiration or possibly a biopsy. If squamous cell carcinoma is confirmed, it is not likely at all to respond to steroids or antibiotics much other than mild decrease in inflammation. Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma is limited by how aggressive this tumor is though sometimes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are options. Sorry for the sad news. Let's hope it is more on the benign side. Good luck and have a great day!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 21st, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

    The most common oral cancers in cats is squamous cell carcinoma at 80% (SCC) and fibrosarcomas.

    SCC is very locally invasive and removing the mass usually requires significant removal of tissue/bone. Cats tend to not tolerate this extensive of oral surgery and would require feeding tubes post operatively. It is very commonly involves the tongue which is even worse for the quality of life for a cat. Sadly most of the tumors are found when they are too large to be removed and are deemed inoperable. After aggressive surgery then radiation would be recommended if the surgical margins were not clean. Radiation alone in cats has been not found to be helpful.

    I hope this helps and I wish you the best!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Emily, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 3rd, 2017

    This report states the lymph node by your cat's mouth has cancer cells as well as cells of inflammation. Unfortunately this means your cat has a malignant (bad)cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes. I would ask your veterinarian about mouth cancers like squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This cancer can be very aggressive and ultimately is fatal within a few months to a year.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is very likely a malignant tumor unfortunately. Cats are very well known for having a mouth tumor called squamous cell carcinoma which carries a poor prognosis. However, it could still be something else. The only way to know is by doing some sampling via fine needle aspiration or possibly a biopsy. If squamous cell carcinoma is confirmed, it is not likely to respond to medications much other than mild decrease in inflammation. Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma is limited by how aggressive this tumor is though sometimes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are options. Sorry for the sad news. Let's hope it is more on the benign side. Good luck and have a great day!
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