DIAGNÓSTICO E SOBREVIDA DE CADELA COM CARCINOMA DE CÉLULAS ESCAMOSAS: relato de caso

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin, characterized by invasive behavior and a high potential for recurrence, frequently diagnosed in dogs with light skin and short coats. This study aimed to identify and analyze the main challenges faced in the diagnosis and prognosis of SCC in a female dog treated at Vet Mais Veterinary Clinic, in Ituiutaba-MG. This is a qualitative research based on a clinical case study, complemented by a literature review in the PubVet, SciELO and Google Scholar databases, addressing etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies applicable to the neoplasm. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination, which showed an infiltrative malignant neoplasm with compromised surgical margins. Clinical follow-up revealed early recurrences, difficulty in controlling the neoplasm, hematological changes compatible with chronic inflammation and normocytic normochromic anemia. Among the main challenges observed were the financial limitations of the caregiver, the restriction on the use of adjuvant therapies, and continuous sun exposure, factors that aggravated the condition and directly influenced the prognosis. The patient’s survival was approximately fifteen months, highlighting the importance of continuous clinical management, hematological monitoring, and evaluation of surgical margins in defining the prognosis. The study demonstrates that diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties associated with environmental and socioeconomic factors constitute the main challenges in the clinical approach to SCC in dogs, reinforcing the need for early diagnosis, adequate environmental management, and increased access to oncological therapies in veterinary medicine.