Quote Originally Posted by K9soul
Thank you everyone for your posts, support and thoughts.

Dragondawg - She is on Innova EVO RM formula supplemented by raw (no grains in her diet), so hopefully I am on the right track on diet though I will ask my vet more about that too. I will also write down the things you mentioned to ask him about.

I tried to do some research but can't handle it as there is a lot of grim articles about oral cancers out there and the prognosis.

The conversation is a bit hazy in my mind because I was in a state of shock, but I do remember him saying it was well differentiated and that is another plus. I understand some of what that means due to being a medical transcriptionist.
Your diet sounds fine. But no more ice cream on the side.

The worst part about having a puppy dog with cancer is the initial shock and often having to make treatment decisions while still being in a haze. Been there, done that with lymphoma. Learn as much as you can about the SCC in dogs, so you know what to expect, and can anticipate any future problems.

A well differentiated cancer is sort of like saying the cells involved know what they want to be in life- associated with the gum or oral tissues. They are committed genetically to differeniate into that type of tissue. Undiffereniated means the cells are more likely to drift off via metastasis and try to become lung cells, or some other tissue mimic. Thus differeniated cancers are less likely to be agressive and undergo metastasis - a definite plus.

Unless an ultrasound picks it up elsewhere, chances are follow up radiation will clean things up.