Metastatic submandibular acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma in a dog

Abstract

A seven-year-old female mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with an uncommon histological variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with lymph node metastases. Therefore, the objective of this report was to describe the gross and microscopic findings of this uncommon SCC histological variant. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the mass revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. On necropsy, the submandibular region revealed nodular, multifocal to coalescing, ulcerated masses with firm and fluctuant areas. Furthermore, enlarged submandibular and cervical lymph nodes with loss of normal architecture suggestive of metastasis were present. A definitive diagnosis of submandibular acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma was made upon histopathological evaluation. This variant is rare in humans and animals.