CORNEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN A FRENCH BULLDOG: CLINICAL CASE AND REVIEW

Authors

  • V. Nedev Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria Author
  • I. Kalkanov Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15547/tjs.2026.03.012

Keywords:

cornea, surgery, superficial keratectomy

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cornea in dogs is recognized as a very rare disease. Its misdiagnosing can delay adequate treatment and increase morbidity. A French Bulldog, aged 2.6 years, with a history of non-painful growing mass on the left eye was presented at the University Veterinary Hospital in Stara Zagora for evaluation. The examination revealed a brown colored oval-shaped 4 mm mass on the cornea at 3 o’clock with suspicion for squamous cell carcinoma. The clinical examination of the patient showed no evidence of metastases; superficial keratectomy with conjunctival flap were made. The histological examination of the mass confirmed the diagnosis. During the follow-up examination of the patient, 6 months after surgery, no local or general metastases were detected. In conclusion, early surgical treatment was suggested as the best therapeutic approach for ocular SCC in dogs for preserving vision.

References

Gilger, B.C., Bentley, E. and Ollivier F.J., Disease and surgery of the cornea and sclera. In Gelatt KN, (eds). Veterinary Ophthalmology, 4th edition. Ames, Iowa, USA: Blackwell Publishing. pp. 690–752, 2007.

Wilcock B.P., The eye and ear. In Kennedy PC, Palmer NC, (eds). Pathology of Domestic Animals, Vol. 1, 4th edn. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 441–529. 1993

Barsotti, G., Ressel, L., Finotello, R., Marchetti, V. and Millanta, F., Primary corneal squamous cell carcinoma in a dog: clinical and histopathological evaluation. Case Rep Vet Med., 1: 1-6, 2012.

Blodi, F.C. and Ramsey, F.K., Ocular tumors in domestic animals. Am J Ophthalmol., 64: 627–633. 1967.

Dugan, S.J., Ocular neoplasia. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract., 8: 609–626, 1992.

Montiani-Ferreira, F., Kiupel, M., Muzolon, P. and Truppel, J., Corneal squamous cell carcinoma in a dog: a case report. Vet Ophthalmol., 11 (4): 269–272. 2008.

Lee, G.A. and Hirst L.W., Ocular surface squamous neoplasia. Surv Ophthalmol., 39: 429–450, 1995.

Fischer, C.A., Lindley, D.M., Carlton W.C. and Van Hecke, H. Tumors of the cornea and sclera. In Peiffer RLJ, Simons KB, (eds). Ocular Tumors in Animals and Humans 1st edition. Ames, Iowa, USA: Blackwell Publishing. pp. 149–202. 2002.

Dubielzig, R.R., Schobert, C.S. and Dreyfus, J., Superficial corneal squamous cell carcinoma occurring in dogs with chronic keratitis. Vet Ophthalmol, 14(3): 161–168, 2011.

Bernays, M.E., Flemming, D. and Peiffer R.L. Jr., Primary corneal papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma associated with pigmentary keratitis in four dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc., 214: 215–217, 1999.

Latimer, K.S., Kaswan, R.L. and Sundberg, J.P., Corneal squamous cell carcinoma in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc., 190(11): 1430–1432. 1987.

Werner, R., Guineva, V., Atanassov, A., Valev, D., Danov, D., Petkov, B. and Kirillov A., Ultraviolet radiation levels over Bulgarian high mountains. Aerosp Res Bul., 33; 31-39. 2021.

Blum, H.F., Quantitative aspects of cancer induction by ultra-violet light. In Urbach F, (eds). The Biologic Effects of Ultraviolet Irradiation. Oxford, UK: Pergamon Press, pp. 543–549. 1969.

Takiyama, N., Terasaki, E. and Uechi, M., Corneal squamous cell carcinoma in two dogs. Vet Ophthalmol, 13(4): 266–269, 2010.

Downloads

Published

2026-09-09

How to Cite

CORNEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN A FRENCH BULLDOG: CLINICAL CASE AND REVIEW. (2026). TRAKIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES, 24(3), 5. https://doi.org/10.15547/tjs.2026.03.012

Similar Articles

1-10 of 21

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.