Corneal squamous cell carcinoma in an equine

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm of the epidermal cells, being considered the second most common neoplasm in the eyes and ocular annexes of horses. The occurrence of the tumor intensifies mainly in animals that have depigmented and hairless regions subjected to solar radiation. Lesions may be isolated or multiple, with varying sizes and ulcerated. The treatment depends on the size, degree of invasion, equipment available and financial condition of the owner. As a treatment, besides surgical excision, topical and intralesional chemotherapeutic agents have been considered. The aim of this study was to report squamous cell carcinoma in the cornea of an equine. An 11-year-old, stallion horse, with a rosy mass in the right eye cornea that evolved for four months, was referred to the Rancho Clinic. Upon clinical suspicion of squamous cell carcinoma, surgical excision of the mass was indicated, followed by histopathological evaluation. The test result confirmed the diagnosis of the neoplasm. Postoperative therapy consisted of administration of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and atropine eye drops, in addition to the anti-inflammatory flunixin meglumine. As adjuvant treatment was the topical 5-Fluorouracil chemotherapy for 12 days. Two months after the surgical procedure, the patient showed no signs of neoplasia at the site, nor possible metastases in other regions. Given the above, it is concluded that the histopathological examination is essential for the definitive diagnosis of the neoplasia and that surgical exeresis associated with adjuvant treatment based on 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy was effective for the eradication of squamous cell carcinoma.