Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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Oral squamous cell carcinoma. Courtesy of T. Scase

neoplastic

Papilloma and Squamous Cell Carninoma of Epiglottis (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))
  • Squamous cell carcinomas are the malignant equivalent of the papilloma and may arise anywhere within the oropharynx.
    • Those arising over the tonsil (squamous carcinoma of the tonsil or tonsillar carcinoma) are very malignant, invading adjacent tissues and metastasising early.
    • Squamous carcinomas of the tongue (especially in cats) can also behave in a very malignant fashion. Those at more rostral sites, e.g. on the incisor gingivae, are less likely to metastasise early although they may be locally aggressive.
    • Squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx in cattle are commonly seen as part of an upper alimentary tract carcinoma complex.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma is thought to develop from papillomas in cattle in association with ingested carcinogens in bracken fern.


  • Squamous cell carcinomas of the oesophagus are occasionally seen in other species, notably in the cat, where the tumour tends to infiltrate around the oesophageal wall resulting in a “ring carcinoma”.
  • The affected cat has progressive difficulty in eating and swallowing.
  • Forms part of Upper Alimentary Tract Carcinoma Complex


  • The most common gastric tumour in the horse.
  • Affects the pars oesophagea.
  • Take the form of a large cauliflower-like mass.
    Bovine abomasal lymphoma. (Courtesy of Elspeth Milne
  • Metastasises, and spreads and transcoelomically.

Nasal Cavity

  • In cats they arise mainly from nasal vestibule
  • In horses they originate mainly from maxillary sinus
  • Most common nasal tumour
    • Serosanquineous or mucopurulent, odourous nasal discharge
  • Tissue necrosis
  • May cause airway obstruction or facial distortion