INFORMATION ON SQUAMOUS CELL CArciNOMA
Equine Breeds Affected
- All Draft Breeds
- Arabian
- Appaloosas
- Pinto
- Haflinger
Other factors
- Geographically location
- Exposure to UV light
- Horse over 8 years
- Altitude
Recurrence
Common causes of recurrences are failure for complete excision and failure for regular revisits to ensure further changes do not develop. Due to the nature of the tumour, SCC are initially locally invasive. However tumour cells can have long prongs making excision with clear margins difficult. In general the smaller and earlier the lesion the better.
It is important to have a cancer watch program in place to ensure that early lesions are not missed. Revisits are scheduled initially at 1, 3 and 6 months apart. Following this, careful re-examination every 6 months is advised.
It is equally important that we minimise exposure to sunlight and carefully check the eyes.
Location Dependent Management
- Third eyelid - Removal of third eyelid
- Cornea - Excision + Mitomycin C / radiation/ Freezing Photodynamic treatment
- Eyelid - Intralesional Chemotherapy / Freezing / Photodynamic treatment / Eye Removal for severe cases