Content continues after advertisement

Pug with Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Clinician's Brief (Capsule)

Oncology

|September 2016

Sign in to Print/View PDF

Primary ocular surface squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is common in horses and cattle but rarely described in dogs. Chronic keratitis, as seen in brachycephalic breeds, and use of topical cyclosporine have been hypothesized as possible triggers in corneal SCC pathogenesis in dogs. In this case, a 12-year-old male pug had a well-demarcated, central, 3-mm diameter, pale pink raised mass on the right cornea. Temporal to this lesion was a poorly demarcated 5 mm-diameter, rough, slightly raised white lesion. Severe, dense corneal pigmentation was also present diffusely on the right eye, as was moderate superficial corneal vascularization. An incisional biopsy of the central mass revealed findings consistent with corneal SCC. 

The owner declined surgical excision, and the lesions were treated with 1% 5-fluorouracil ointment 4 times a day for 2 weeks. This was followed by 2 weeks with no treatment, then by another 2 weeks with treatment 2 times a day. To reduce corneal pigmentation, ongoing therapy with 2% cyclosporine was prescribed. There was no evidence of SCC regrowth on the cornea 10 months after stopping 5-fluorouracil therapy. The only complication was progression of the dense corneal pigmentation, likely secondary to the client discontinuing cyclosporine therapy. The authors concluded that 1% 5-fluorouracil potentially could be used as sole therapy for corneal SCC, although more studies are warranted. 

Clinician's Brief

Commentary

This study presented a possible viable, safe option for dogs affected by ocular SCC. Unfortunately, because this case involved only 1 dog, assumptions about the efficacy and use of this drug as sole therapy for ocular SCC cannot be made. Further investigations may help prove this as a valid treatment option. Additionally, use of this drug without surgical excision may decrease postsurgical corneal scarring and potentially could improve vision in these patients. Surgical excision should still be considered the gold standard for removal of the lesions, but use of 5-fluorouracil ointment in conjunction with surgical excision or as monotherapy may be considered when surgery is not an option.—Rebecca Telle, DVM

References

For global readers, a calculator to convert laboratory values, dosages, and other measurements to SI units can be found here.

All Clinician's Brief content is reviewed for accuracy at the time of publication. Previously published content may not reflect recent developments in research and practice.

Material from Clinician's Brief may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in whole or in part without prior permission of Educational Concepts, LLC. For questions or inquiries please contact us.

Podcasts

Clinician's Brief:
The Podcast
Listen as host Alyssa Watson, DVM, talks with the authors of your favorite Clinician’s Brief articles. Dig deeper and explore the conversations behind the content here.
Clinician's Brief provides relevant diagnostic and treatment information for small animal practitioners. It has been ranked the #1 most essential publication by small animal veterinarians for 9 years.*

*2007-2017 PERQ and Essential Media Studies

© 2023 Educational Concepts, L.L.C. dba Brief Media ™ All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions | DMCA Copyright | Privacy Policy | Acceptable Use Policy