Retrospective analysis of the clinical findings of horses with ocular squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

The ocular and periocular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a slowly growing tumour. It is the second most common neoplasm in equines, and the most common in the eye and adnexa. Metastasis is rarely recognized and is only in severe cases detectable. The growth starts in plaques and epithel hyperplasia. The typical shape is cauliflower like. The pathogenesis is not cleared yet, but genetic predisposition, periocular depigmentation, age, ultraviolet light of solar radiation, viral infection and hormonal status influence the appearance of SCC. Different therapies are preformed depending on the location, size, invasiveness, and shape of the neoplasm.