Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a dog (clinical case)

A clinical case of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in a 14-year-old mongrel dog was studied. It was established that a comprehensive examination is necessary to diagnose oncological diseases. Effective treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in dogs and achievement of long-term remission are possible only with the use of surgical removal of the tumor and subsequent drug therapy. After taking the history, a clinical examination was performed, based on which the dog's condition was recognized as satisfactory with a preliminary diagnosis of skin neoplasia. Additional examinations were performed to clarify it and prescribe treatment: cytological examination of the aspirate from the affected area, general and biochemical blood tests, and urinalysis. In the studied aspirate, cells were found in groups and separately, and had different nuclear-cytoplasmic ratios (from high to low). The nuclei of some cells are round, brightly colored, distinct, dense, and usually have one nucleolus. There is little cytoplasm; it is thinned and, in most cases, vacuolated. Other cells with small nuclei, located eccentrically, contain a large amount of dark, dense cytoplasm. According to the results of cytological examination of the aspirate, the neoplasia type was determined to be squamous cell carcinoma. X-ray and ultrasound diagnostics ruled out the presence of metastases in organs and regional lymph nodes. After analyzing the results of the studies, the sick animal was prescribed surgical treatment. A histopathological examination of the material was performed after surgery to confirm the diagnosis and determine further treatment tactics. Pathohistological examination of histological sections revealed that the tumor consisted of complexes of atypical squamous epithelial cells with invasion into the deep layers of the dermis, and often into the underlying tissues. Strands of multilayered squamous epithelium penetrated the dermis through wide bands of various shapes (tissue atypia). Cells and their nuclei are polymorphic, numerous mitotic figures are detected, and nuclei are hypochromic. The formation of “cancer pearls” was noted when cells form complexes, in the center of which they are more mature. These complexes are rounded in shape, surrounded by epithelial cells with various signs of atypia. Areas surrounded by squamous epithelium were also noted, where the keratinization processes began. The results of the histopathological examination of the tumor finally confirmed the previously established diagnosis. To continue treatment, drug therapy was prescribed to eliminate the symptoms of the disease: teranekron – an antitumor immunomodulatory drug, dexafort and methylprednisolone – drugs with anti-inflammatory effects, and bicillin-5 – a bactericidal drug.