A Retrospective Study Of The Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors And Histopathological Pattern Of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Cases Encountered In Hospital Pengajar Perubatan Veterinar, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (HPVUMK) From The Year 2020 To 2024

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of cancer originating from squamous epithelial cells, often associated with chronic exposure to sunlight. This tumour is a significant health concern in veterinary medicine, as it ranks among the most commonly diagnosed skin cancers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SCC at Hospital Pengajar Perubatan Veterinar Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (HPVUMK) to assess whether the occurrence is a potentially public concern or remains within an acceptable range. Additionally, it was also conducted to investigate the risk factors contributing to the development of SCC and to explore the histopathological subtypes (grading) of SCC. A retrospective analysis of SCC cases diagnosed at HPVUMK from June 2020 to June 2024 focusing on felines and canines. Nine confirmed cases were identified, with the highest prevalence of 0.22% in felines in 2024 and 2.78% in canines in 2021. The lesions were mostly external, located on the head and limbs. The risk factors such as age, breed, neutering status, and management status was taken to test the association of the risk factor with SCC development. Fisher's exact test used to indicate significant correlations, suggesting that these variables could influence SCC development. However, this study found no significant association (p>0.05). This could be due to the limited geographical area, which restricted the number of SCC cases observed. Histopathological examination revealed that SCC cases were primarily well-differentiated and moderately differentiated, with no poorly differentiated subtype cases. This study provides valuable information on the prevalence, lesion locations, and histopathological subtypes (grading) of SCC, aiding in the understanding and management of this condition in veterinary practice.
Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma, histopathological subtypes (grading), risk factors, prevalence, retrospective