ペットの扁平上皮がん

ペットの親の心を落胆させる言葉が 1 つあるとすれば、それは「がん」です。残念ながら、私たちのペットは、私たちが望んでいるほど、この恐ろしい病気から免れていません。人間と同じように、ペットもさまざまな種類のがんを発症する可能性があり、そのうちの 1 つが扁平上皮がん (SCC) です。読み続けて、ペットの SCC とそれを防ぐために何ができるかについて学びましょう。

扁平上皮がんの基本

扁平上皮細胞は、皮膚と内臓の外層を覆う上皮を構成する薄くて平らな不規則な形の細胞です。これらの細胞には多くの機能があり、その 1 つは下にある組織を保護することです。紫外線やタバコの煙にさらされるなどの理由で扁平上皮細胞が損傷を受けると、癌化する可能性があります。

犬と猫の両方が扁平上皮癌を発症する可能性がありますが、この癌は犬よりも猫、特に中年から老齢の猫に多く見られます。ペットの扁平上皮がんには、主に口腔がんと皮膚がんの 2 種類があります。

口腔扁平上皮がん

DVM360 によると、口腔扁平上皮がんは猫の口腔がん全体の 10% を占め、犬の口腔がんの中で 2 番目に多いがんです。通常、高齢のペットに影響を及ぼし、生存率が低くなります。扁桃腺や歯肉など口のどこにでも見られますが、口腔 SCC は舌の下に最もよく見られます。急速に成長し、頻繁に顎骨に侵入します。

猫では、毛づくろい中に猫の舌に付着するタバコの煙やノミの首輪の化学物質などの発がん物質が口腔 SCC を引き起こす可能性があります。犬の正確な原因はまだ分かっていません.

扁平上皮がんの徴候と症状

口腔扁平上皮がんの徴候には、口臭、摂食困難、よだれ、口内出血や痛みなどがあります。 Other symptoms include loose teeth and ulcerated gums. These signs can often be confused with dental disease, so it is essential for veterinarians to perform a thorough oral exam in older pets. Diagnostic procedures are the same for oral as for skin cancer, which can start with labwork, needle aspirate and/or biopsy with histopathology.

Surgery is the standard of treatment for oral SCC. It can be aggressive, with the removal of a portion of the jawbone, nearby lymph nodes, or both, if necessary. Although surgical tumor removal can provide immense pain relief, the tumor’s size and location can sometimes make surgery difficult or even impractical. Non-surgical treatment options include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Treatments that do not target the tumor itself, but can help a pet to feel better, include antibiotics, painkillers, and nutritional supplementation.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Prevention Tips

Prevention strategies include the following:

• Limit sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Keep white-haired cats indoors and prevent them from sunbathing in the window.
• Apply a small amount of sunblock to a pet’s exposed skin, such as the tip of the ears and above the nose.. Your veterinarian can recommend a pet-safe sunblock.
• Use UV reflective film on your windows or install a window shade to block UV rays.
• Take your pet to your veterinarian for regular wellness exams.

Oral SCC:Elizabeth and Lola’s Story

“My 8-year-old dachshund-Jack Russell mix was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the tonsils,” begins pet parent Elizabeth. “When I brought her to the vet, she had lost weight, had no bark, and seemed to have difficulty eating. The vet found and removed the tumor, but warned me that this is an extremely aggressive form of cancer and that it had most likely already metastasized to her lymph nodes.” Elizabeth was referred to an oncologist, who discovered more lesions in Lola’s lung. They recommended palliative radiation and sadly, gave Lola only 3 months to live.

“I could not just let her die,” says Elizabeth. “So I read all the veterinary and animal literature I could find on what deters cancer cells in animals. The finding that stood out to me was cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, kale, and Brussel sprouts, have been found to inhibit cancer cells in research on animals.” Elizabeth dived deeper and changed her dog’s diet:“She is a very picky eater, but likes Brussel sprouts, as long as they have butter in them. Also a diet low in carbs, high in protein and with healthy fats was found to be helpful! She has been eating Brussel sprouts with olive oil and a little butter every day, as well as chicken breast. I’d like to get some other fruits and veggies into her, but she won’t eat them.”

While vets and pet parents alike will tell you that cancer is a daunting diagnosis and that it is truly hit-or-miss with alternative solutions, Elizabeth has had success with Lola’s diet. “It is now 3 months post diagnosis. She has regained her weight and her bark, and to all appearances is symptom free, active, and happy. It’s too early to know if she will be a survivor, but I am sharing this in case anyone else’s dog is in a similar position. So far, she is defying the odds. By the way, she may be the cutest and most wonderful dog on this earth— an unbiased opinion.” Lola’s claims have totaled $2,919 and Elizabeth has been reimbursed $2,135 (90% reimbursement rate; $250 deductible). Please note that cancer claims were sandwiched between unrelated claims that may skew the totals.

Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Skin SCC is the fourth most common feline skin cancer but is rare in dogs. Excessive sun exposure is the most common cause. By far, white and light-colored hair cats are most susceptible to skin SCC and often develop tumor lesions on the temples, eyelids, tip of the nose, and outer tips of the ears. Dogs with sparse hair and lightly pigmented skin and fur (e.g., white Bull Terriers) are also susceptible. Interestingly, in some dogs, skin SCC can target the nailbeds.

Skin SCC typically affects older cats, but both dogs and cats of any breed and age can develop this cancer, depending on their amount of sun exposure and lack of skin pigmentation.

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma in pets

In the early stages, skin SCC doesn’t even look like a tumor. Instead, you might notice a small, solitary skin lesion that looks a little dry, flaky, and ulcerated. Often, these signs can be mistaken for other skin diseases, such as allergies or parasites. As time goes on, the lesion grows, becomes bumpy, develops hard and irregular borders, and causes skin swelling.

Skin SCC rarely spreads beyond its original tumor site, but it can spread to nearby lymph nodes and possibly the lungs. It can also recur in the same spot.

Diagnosing skin SCC is done via a skin biopsy, which will show cancerous squamous cells. Other diagnostic tools include a blood sample, chest x-ray, and lymph node analysis to devise an optimal treatment plan.

Skin SCC is primarily treated with aggressive surgical removal of the lesion and at least a portion of the affected area to ensure removal of all tumor tissue. Other treatments include radiation therapy, cryotherapy (freezing), and chemotherapy.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Conclusion

Squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive cancer in pets. Pay close attention to your pet’s skin, particularly if you have a white-haired cat, and take your pet to your veterinarian if you notice any strange bumps on the skin or oral problems. The optimal treatment plan will depend on the tumor’s size and disease progression.

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The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical diagnosis, condition, or treatment options.