Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pig (Sus Scrofa)

Abstract

Abstract. An 18-year-old, neutered, male Vietnamese pot-bellied pig (Sus scrofa) was treated for chronic, intermittent nasal discharge and sneezing. The animal was diagnosed with severe periodontal disease (grade IV), an oronasal fistula, and multiple tooth root abscesses via dental examination and computed tomography of the skull. Dentistry was performed, including multiple tooth extractions, and antibiotic therapy was initiated. Eighteen months later, the animal was evaluated for lethargy, anorexia, and a firm, 12 cm 3 12 cm mass between the 2 rami of the mandible. Laboratory testing revealed moderate anemia, severe leukocytosis, and hyperglobulinemia. Skull radiographs indicated osteomyelitis of the mandible and soft-tissue swelling. A fine-needle aspirate and biopsy were taken, and results were consistent with squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment with piroxicam and antibiotics was initiated as needed to control signs of pain and secondary infection, respectively. Three months after diagnosis, the pig was euthanized due to cachexia and severe depression secondary to squamous cell carcinoma. On postmortem examination, the right mandibular area contained multiple, coalescing, irregular masses extending from the ramus rostrally to the mandibular canine teeth and ventrally within the intermandibular space, completely obliterating the normal anatomy. An open midshaft fracture was present on the right mandible. On histopathology, the masses were confirmed as locally invasive and destructive squamous cell carcinoma. No evidence of metastasis was noted in regional lymph nodes or in any of the distant sites evaluated.

Pot-bellied pig neoplasia

“…20 There was a single nasal adenocarcinoma in the current necropsy series and a nasal squamous cell carcinoma in the biopsy series. Although squamous cell carcinoma has been most commonly reported in the oral cavity of pot-bellied pigs, 9,19 the 2 cases in the present study were nasal and dermal in origin, respectively.…”

“…10,12 In addition, oral cavity tumors, specifically squamous cell carcinoma, have also been reported. 9,19 The objective of the current study was to determine the incidence of neoplastic processes within a population of pet pot-bellied pigs seen at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM; Knoxville, Tennessee) over the past 10 years.…”

Metastatic submandibular acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma in a dog

“…It is common in cats, cattle, horses and dogs (2,3,7,14) and relatively uncommon in sheep, goats, and pigs (5,17,21).…”

Congenital Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Suckling Piglet

“…The first case was observed in a 10-year-old female pig, and SCC appeared as an ulcerated mass which infiltrated the hard and soft palate and metastasized to the draining lymph node and to the lungs [11]. The second case was detected in an 18-year-old, neutered male, Vietnamese pig and was located lateral to the right mandible; inside the oral cavity, no evidence of metastasis was being noted [12]. Therefore, the present report describes an exceptionally rare disease condition and, to the best of our knowledge, it represents the first case of a congenital oral SCC ever described.…”