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Gross photograph of a ferret with a squamous cell carcinoma of the mandible. This is a typical presentation for SCC. Note the marked swelling and deformity of the lower jaw. |
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Front view of the affected ferret. Note root exposure of canine at lower left. |
Squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm of the ferret; it is however, the most common tumor of the ferret jaw. Both the maxilla and the mandible (upper and lower jaw) can be affected. These neoplasms also are rarely seen in the skin of ferrets, most commonly around the vulva in females, but any area of the skin can be affected.
The neoplastic cell in squamous cell carcinoma is the cell which forms the epidermis. Cords and nests of these cells invade down into underlying tissues, resulting in hard, hairless, often ulcerated swelling. In the oral cavity, these tumors eventually invade the jawbones, resulting in hard, painful swellings as seen in the photographs at left.
In many cases, the presenting signs for SCC's of the oral cavity are halitosis, reddening of the gums, tooth loss, and a loss of appetitie or difficulty in chewing kibble. Ferrets showing any of these signs should receive a good oral examination.
Early detection of these tumors is paramount to survival of these ferrets, as wide surgical excision (including removal of a segment of the jawbone) appears to be the only therapy of benefit. Chemotherapy for this neoplasm does not appear beneficial, and incomplete excision results in continued tumor invasion and destruction of local tissues.
In the skin, these tumors probably cause little pain until the late stages, but in the oral cavity, it is likely that there is significant discomfort as the tumor invades and replaces bone. A poor prognosis is warranted for oral squamous cell carcinoma, and the vast majority of ferrets with these tumors will eventually be euthanized.
In the skin, early detection is also paramount, as local invasion and metastasis to other sites, such as lymph nodes is common. In fact, some tumors may already have significant local invasion before the external lesion is very large - making adequate surgical removal impossible.
References:
1. Li X, Fox JG et. al. Neoplastic diseases in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo): a review of Veterinary Medical Data Base (1968-1997). JAVMA (212): 1402-1406, 1998.
2. Hamilton TA, Morrison WB. Bleomycin chemotherapy for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in a ferret. JAVMA (198: 107-108, 1991.
Bruce Williams, December 1999