A 3-month-old French bulldog puppy named Tyson has defied the odds by spontaneously regrowing his lower left jaw after it was removed due to cancer. This unprecedented case, documented by Cornell University veterinarians, marks the first recorded instance of such extensive jaw regeneration in a canine. Remarkably, Tyson remains cancer-free.
The groundbreaking case is detailed in a report published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. In Spring 2023, Tyson was scheduled for cleft palate repair surgery when his veterinarian discovered a malignant tumor on his left jaw. A biopsy confirmed oral papillary squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common oral cancer in dogs.
The standard treatment is surgery, but Tyson’s owners were initially hesitant. The tumor’s location necessitated removing most of his lower left jaw, and the cancer’s progression was uncertain. However, subsequent tests revealed the cancer hadn’t spread, indicating a positive prognosis with surgery. With the owners’ consent, the veterinarians proceeded.
Post-surgery, Tyson recovered without complications, and astonishingly, his jawbone began regenerating within eight weeks. While jaw regeneration has been reported in humans after surgery or injury, and anecdotally in young dogs with partial jaw regrowth, Tyson’s case is the first documented instance of full jaw regeneration in a dog following oral cancer surgery.
“We had no idea his jaw would grow back,” said Melissa Forsythe, one of Tyson’s owners, in a statement from Cornell University.
The veterinarians believe Tyson’s young age and the preservation of the jaw’s periosteum – the membrane covering the bone containing nourishing blood vessels – likely contributed to his remarkable recovery. However, the precise regeneration mechanisms remain unknown.
“More research is needed to understand the likelihood of this occurring in other dogs and the influence of age,” explained study author Alexandra Wright, a dentistry and oral surgery resident at Cornell who led Tyson’s care. “This case showcases a remarkably positive outcome in a life-threatening situation.”
Tyson subsequently underwent successful cleft palate repair surgery. Although his regenerated jaw lacks teeth and isn’t fully functional, it matches the length of the right side and remains healthy, with no signs of cancer recurrence. According to Forsythe, Tyson is thriving, having recently completed obedience training and participated in a Christmas parade.
Both Tyson’s owners and the veterinary team hope his case will contribute to understanding how to replicate this regenerative process in other dogs.
“Tyson’s case demonstrates the potential for complete bone regeneration in young patients,” Wright concluded.
