Squamous cells carcinoma in felines: case report

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), also known as squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, is a cutaneous malignant neoplasm that appears frequently in felines, presenting in this species a distinct behavior of the other species. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light seems to be one of the etiologic factors of the disease, just as the hypopigmented and low-hair areas are the most affected. The color of the coat is one of the predisposing factors, it is known that white-coated cats are more likely to present the disease when compared to the pigmented ones. Regarding localization, most of the lesions are observed in the head and more often in the nasal plane, followed by the auricles and eyelids, and may present in varied forms as proliferative or erosive. The diagnostic suspicion comes through the history and clinical characteristics of the lesions, but for diagnostic definition cytological and histopathological examination is necessary. Precocity in diagnosis has a fundamental effect on prognosis. There are several treatment modalities for squamous cell carcinoma including surgery, ionizing radiation, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, electrochemotherapy and cryosurgery. Cryosurgery consists of the controlled use of low temperatures in order to induce cell death. The objective of this work was to report two cases of felines diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma treated with different protocols. Animal 1 is a 10-year-old, male, 10-year-old male with ulcerative lesion in the nasal plane for approximately 6 months, attended at the Veterinary Clinic in Olinda-PE. The diagnosis was made through a cytological examination, identifying squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment established was cryosurgery, but the animal did not receive a favorable treatment response, probably due to the delay in the search for veterinary care, which delayed the diagnosis and consequently aggravated the neoplastic lesion making it difficult to treat. The animal was submitted to euthanasia after worsening of its clinical condition, 2 months after starting the treatment. Animal 2 is a 14-year-old undefined female feline with ulcerative lesion in the left ear. The diagnosis was made through cytology and histopathology. The established treatment was surgery. To date, the animal has not had any complications.