Canine and Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A Common Cancer of the Skin, Feet and Mouth of Dogs and Cats
Mar 30, 2009
Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant form of cancer which occurs in both dogs and cats. The most common locations for squamous cell carcinomas in dogs and cats are the skin, feet and mouth but they can also occur in the eyes, lungs, esophagus and bladder as well as at other sites.
Symptoms of Canine and Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Usually, a mass is seen on the dog and cat where the squamous cell carcinoma is growing. These masses may vary in appearance and may look like:
- a shallow sore on skin of the dog or cat with a crust over the top of the sore
- a deep raw sore on the skin of the dog or cat
- a raised area on the skin of the dog or cat which appears red in color
- a cauliflower-shaped growth on the skin of the dog or cat
The appearance of the cancer may change over time as well.
Clinical signs of squamous cell carcinoma are usually based on the location of the cancer. For instance, dogs and cats with tumors on their feet may limp and have a sore on the foot, whereas dogs and cats with tumors in the nose may sneeze, have a discharge from the nose and have a deformed face.
Diagnosis of Canine and Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma for your dog or cat will involve a visit to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may perform cytology studies on the cancer to look at the cells making up the tumor. These cytology studies may be done by collecting cells from the area with a needle or by using a slide or other object pressed directly on the top of the area to collect the cells.
Removal of at least part of the tumor and biopsy of the tumor may be necessary to accurately diagnose squamous cell carcinoma in your dog or cat. This allows a closer examination of the architecture and cell make-up of the tumor under a microscope using specialized techniques.
Your veterinarian will likely need to do some additional tests which may include blood testing, analysis of urine, radiography of the chest and radiography and/or ultrasonography of the abdomen. Your pet's lymph notes will also need to be examined to see if the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes. These tests are done to help determine the stage of the cancer.
Treatment of Canine and Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Surgical removal of the squamous cell carcinoma is the treatment of choice, but removal of the entire tumor may not always be possible because of the size or location of the cancer. In that case, additional treatment may be needed and may include:
- cryotherapy (application of extreme cold to the area of the cancer lesion)
- radiation therapy
- plesiotherapy (topical application of a radiation source to the area of the cancer)
- photodynamic therapy (administration of a medication which will photosensitize the area of the cancer and will result in death of cancer cells)
- chemotherapy
New treatment options are still being evaluated and may become accessible in the future.
Prognosis of Canine and Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma for your dog or cat varies depending on:
- how aggressive the tumor is,
- where the tumor is located,
- whether the tumor has spread, and
- whether the tumor can be removed entirely with surgery.
Squamous cell tumors which can be removed entirely carry a much better prognosis than those which cannot be removed surgically.
Squamous cell carcinoma tumors detected and treated while they are small and in the early stages of development carry the best prognosis.
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