• Cause: squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are malignant neoplasms composed of nests and infiltrative cords of moderately to poorly undifferentiated squamous cells. These are usually cutaneous but sometimes oropharyngeal. They appear to be an occasional findings in ferrets.
• Signs: SCC tumors often appear as nodular or plaque-like masses on the skin anywhere on the body, or as a swelling or proliferation within the oral cavity. Multicentric cutaneous forms have also seen.
• Diagnosis: diagnosis is generally by cytology of fine needle aspirates of the mass, or more usually by histopathological assessment of a biopsy. Immunohistochemical evaluation of samples can be helpful. Transmission electron microscopy has been used to demonstrate viral particles in keratinocytes, eg in multicentric SCC in situ associated with papillomavirus infection. Staging, eg bloodwork, imaging and lymph node biopsy, may help with decisions as to whether to consider chemotherapy, radiation therapy or photodynamic therapy as adjunctive treatment to surgical excision.
• Treatment: generally surgical excision with wide margins if feasible, but local recurrence is common and metastasis possible. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and/or photodynamic therapy can be considered as adjunctive treatments, particularly if incomplete surgical margins are suspected or confirmed.
• Prognosis: may be guarded if not removed in entirety early in the development of the SCC.

• Raised nodular or plaque-like mass or masses on the skin (including the anal sac) or a swelling within the mouth.
• There may be associated signs such as pruritus or difficulty eating or drooling, depending on the site of the SCC and level of associated inflammation and/or infection Cutaneous neoplasia Oral neoplasia.

• As above.

• Worldwide.

• Occasional presentation in ferrets.

• Keepers will need to be counselled as to the costs of investigations (cytology of a fine needle aspirate or histopathological assessment of a biopsy) and likely staging prior to surgical excision IF feasible.
• The costs of adjunctive treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy would also need to be discussed.

• Dependent on any concurrent health issues and the stage of neoplasia, eg if metastasis has already occurred and is having metabolic effects.

• Etiology in most cases is unknown.

General

• SCC may develop from prolonged self-trauma and irritation with localized inflammation, although this appears rare in ferrets.
• Some SCCs may be associated with papilloma virus infection – this has been confirmed in some ferret cases.

• SCCs are locally aggressive and can metastasize.

• Variable.

• Appears to be a spontaneous, individual issue.

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Rodrigues A, Gates L, Payne H R et al (2010) Multicentric squamous cell carcinoma in situ associated with papillomavirus in a ferret. Vet Pathol 47 (5), 964-968 PubMed.
• Graham J, Fidel J & Mison M (2006) Rostral maxillectomy and radiation therapy to manage squamous cell carcinoma in a ferret. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract 9 (3), 701-706 PubMed.
• Williams B H (2002) Squamous cell carcinoma arising from the anal sac in a ferret. Exotic DVM 4, 7 VetMedResource.
• Hamilton T A & Morrison W B (1991) Bleomycin chemotherapy for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 198 (1), 107-108 PubMed.
• Olsen G H, Turk M A & Foil C S (1985) Disseminated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in a ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc 186 (7), 702-703 PubMed.
• Zwicker G M & Carlton W W (1974) Spontaneous squamous cell carcinoma in a ferret. J Wildl Dis 10 (3), 213-212 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• D’Ovidio D & Santoro D (2021) Dermatologic Diseases of Ferrets. In: Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery. 4th edn. Eds: Quesenberry K E, Orcutt C J, Mans C & Carpenter J W. Elsevier, USA. pp 109-116.
• Williams B H & Wyre N R (2021) Neoplasia in Ferrets. In: Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery. 4th edn. Eds: Quesenberry K E, Orcutt C J, Mans C & Carpenter J W. Elsevier, USA. pp 92-108.
• Johnson-Delaney C A (2017) Disorders of the Oral Cavity and Teeth. In: Ferret Medicine and Surgery. Ed: Johnson-Delaney C A. CRC Press, USA. pp 289-310.