Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant skin tumor that occurs in cats mainly in the mouth, ears, and nose. Starting in the uppermost layer of skin and mucous membrane, the squamous epithelium, this tumor spreads very quickly and aggressively. Cats of all breeds and ages can be affected, although older cats are more susceptible.
The skin and mucous membranes consist of different layers of cells. The squamous epithelium is made up of flat, closely connected cells and forms the uppermost layer of the skin, covering most of the body's surface and lining various cavities within the body. Although the exact causes of cell degeneration are still unclear, it is now known that various environmental pollutants have a positive effect on the development of this type of tumor. Due to intensive grooming and the constant ingestion of foreign substances with the tongue, squamous cell carcinomas occur frequently in the oral cavity of cats.
Carcinoma in situ (CIS), the precursor to a malignant tumor, is when the skin change is only in the top layer of skin and hasn't spread yet. CIS cannot metastasize, meaning that it does not spread to lymph nodes or other organs. If treated quickly enough, the further development of the tumor can be effectively counteracted.
Long-term exposure to sunlight or UV light is thought to trigger the development of squamous cell carcinoma. Light-colored and white cats are particularly susceptible, as large areas of their skin have little or no pigment and are especially sensitive to sunlight. This leads to degeneration of the squamous cells and invasive tumor growth, which penetrates the deeper layers of the skin down to the basement membrane (the boundary layer). These are known as cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.
A special form is Bowen's disease, which is similar to Bowen's disease in humans. In this case, skin changes develop independently of UV or sunlight rays and occur throughout the body on both pigmented and non-pigmented areas. However, since the lowest layer of skin, the basement membrane, is not affected in this case, the prognosis is good and there is only a low risk of metastasis.
Tumors located in the oral cavity are also known as oral squamous cell carcinomas. They usually develop on the underside of the tongue, in the throat, or on the tonsils. The tumors grow very quickly and aggressively, often attacking and dissolving the lower or upper jawbone beneath the mucous membrane. Although squamous cell carcinomas grow very quickly and invasively, they rarely form secondary tumors (metastases) and only do so at a very late stage of the disease.
The first visible signs of the disease are usually superficial, inflamed red skin lesions, which later crust over and develop into nodular growths. If the tumors are located in the oral cavity, they are often only noticed when the cat shows signs of bad breath, pain, or a disturbed appetite.
The tumor itself appears as an ulcerated, non-healing growth. Affected cats often show the following additional symptoms:
If you notice one or more of the above signs or skin changes in your cat, please take them to a veterinarian immediately so that you can act as quickly as possible in case of malignant cancer.
Your veterinarian will examine your pet thoroughly and ask you some questions about its medical history. This will provide them with important information and clues about a possible tumor. They will take a closer look at any skin changes and growths, although a detailed examination of the mouth in cats is often only possible with the help of a short anesthetic.
During this short anesthesia, a tissue sample (biopsy) is usually taken from the area of the growths, as this is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis. The cells of the removed tissue are examined and evaluated under a microscope, which in most cases allows the type of tumor to be determined with certainty. An additional blood test can provide information not only about possible cancer, but also about the animal's general health and organ function.
Further X-ray or CT scans of the head provide information about possible bone involvement and are performed depending on the extent and severity of the changes. An X-ray examination of the chest can reveal whether the tumor has metastasized (spread) to other organs.
The treatment of choice for this aggressive tumor is complete surgical removal. To prevent tumor cells from remaining in healthy tissue, the proliferated tissue must be excised over a large area. However, depending on the location and extent of the tumor, and especially if bone is involved, it is not always possible to remove all of the degenerated cells. If tumor cells remain in the tissue, tumor growth will quickly recur (recurrence). In such cases, further treatment with radiation therapy or cryosurgery may be necessary. The remaining tumor cells are killed either by ionizing radiation or by cold.
The chances of recovery from squamous cell carcinoma of the skin depend greatly on the stage and extent of the disease. The earlier the disease is detected and treated, the better the prognosis. With early treatment, complete recovery is possible in some cases of precancerous squamous cell carcinoma and Bowen's disease.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is poor. The aggressive growth of the tumors usually prevents complete surgical removal, so that the tumor quickly regrows. Even with treatment, the life expectancy of affected animals is therefore only a few months to a year.
Since the exact causes of the disease are still unknown, there is no effective way to prevent tumors from developing. However, as a pet owner, you can avoid known risk factors such as tobacco smoke, sunlight, and chronic inflammation, which promote the development of squamous cell carcinoma. This will at least reduce the likelihood of tumor development.
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