The squamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell cancer is a malignant skin neoplasia that affects dogs and cats.
The development of this tumor is associated with ultraviolet radiation (prolonged exposure to sunlight), and appears mostly in fair or depigmented skin (white animals or lightly pigmented mucosa).
In dogs the most common location is the face, ears, abdomen, scrotum and limbs. The races are more prone white Boxer, Poodle, Dogo Argentino, Dalmatian, Beagle and Bull Terrier white coat. In cats is more common in the plane nose, lip ears, eyelids and lips.
Early warning signs are the appearance of erythema (vermilion), hair loss in the region and rolled edges of the ear. This is a pre-tumor that can persist for months or years and progress slowly to an injury or mass that does not heal or respond to conservative treatments.
Later appear scaly lesions, granulomas (papillary masses of variable size, looking like a cauliflower), and crusts that bleed easily. Diagnosis is by history and by skin biopsy. Treatment relies on surgical excision and chemotherapy.
Early diagnosis has fundamental effect on prognosis. Prevention is key and owners of light-colored animals should be instructed to limit the maximum exposure to sunlight, restricting it to the early morning or late afternoon, especially in the summer and use high factor sunscreens.
