SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN BOVINE OCULAR CONJUNCTIVE - CASE REPORT

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a neoplasm considered malignant, affecting several species, but especially bovine species. SCC has a multifactorial etiology and may be related to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, depigmentation and hair loss. This neoplasm is simple to identify clinically, however, diagnostic confirmation through histopathology of the lesion is necessary. This article aims to report a case of squamous cell carcinoma in the ocular conjunctiva of a Nelore bovine, where it underwent the surgical procedure of orbital exenteration, in the city of Primavera de Rondônia. The animal presented changes in the left eye, with the presence of a solid mass growth and excessive tearing. After the clinical examination, a conjunctival neoformation suggestive of ocular neoplasia was found. The orbital exenteration technique is performed, which consists of removing the eyelid, eye and its appendages. The neoplastic mass was then fixed in 10% formaldehyde and sent to the laboratory for histopathological analysis. Through histopathological analysis, the suspicion can be confirmed, where epithelial proliferation was revealed, forming small concentric nodules with keratin pearls, with cells showing moderate pleomorphism with large, hypostained nuclei and an evident nucleolus. Occasionally, unicellular keratinization and occasional mitotic figures were observed, with no safety margin in the sample sent. We therefore conclude that bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma is a more common and harmful condition in cattle herds. Thus, it is clear that late diagnosis can make it difficult to surgically remove all tumor cells, and recurrence may occur.