Corneal squamous cell carcinoma in two dogs.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report two cases of corneal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in dogs. METHODS: Corneal tumors were resected by superficial keratectomy in two cases. Immunohistochemistry of the corneal tissues was performed using anti-p53 antibody. RESULTS: The prominent features of the cases were a clinical history of pigmentary keratitis and chronic keratitis. In each case, a corneal mass was surgically removed with a superficial keratectomy and histologically diagnosed as corneal SCC. Both masses were negative for p53. To reduce chronic corneal irritation, 0.1% hyaluronate sodium ophthalmic solution was applied. After more than 15 months of postsurgical follow-up there has been no recurrence of either neoplasm. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: Chronic corneal irritation was suspected as the primary etiology for the corneal SCC. Appropriate surgical removal of the mass and subsequent conservative treatment for keratitis provided effective therapy in these two cases.