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Basal cell tumor
Synonym(s): tumour
Introduction
- Cause: common epithelial neoplasm
- Benign (usually): well circumscribed, ulcerated
. - Malignant (rarely): poorly circumscribed with scirrhous response.
- Benign (usually): well circumscribed, ulcerated
- Frequently on head and neck, thorax and back.
- Diagnosis: histopathology.
- Treatment: surgical excision. Radiotherapy for extensive malignant lesion.
- Prognosis: good.
Presenting signs
- Skin mass.
- Firmly fixed to overlying skin but freely moveable, not invading underlying fascia.
- Alopecia common.
- Firm.
- Dome shaped, elevated mass.
- Most common sites are dorsum of head and neck, shoulders, thorax and back.
- May be pigmented.
- Usually <4cm at presentation.
- Occasionally ulcerated.
- Rarely multiple.
Geographic incidence
- The most common skin tumor and the most common melanotic tumor. Represents 15-18% of all skin tumors in cats.
Age predisposition
- Middle-old age.
- Average 7 years old.
Breed/Species predisposition
- Siamese Siamese, Persian Persian longhair, Himalayan (Colorpoint) and domestic longhair cats may be predisposed.
Cost considerations
- Complete surgical excision is curative.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Unknown, but not related to exposure to bright sunlight as in man.
Pathophysiology
- Tumor arises from basal epithelium.
- Histologically appear aggressive, with high mitotic rate, but are benign tumors.
- Very occasionally metastasize to local lymph node.
- Arise from basal cells epidermis, sebaceous gland, sweat gland, hair follicle.
Timecourse
- Slow growing (weeks to months).
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Meleo K A (1997) Tumors of the skin and associated structures. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 27 (1), 73-94 PubMed.
- Fox L E (1995) Feline cutaneous and subcutaneous neoplasms. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 25 (4), 961-979 PubMed.
- Ortner B M, Reifinger G L (1995) Monosomy E3 in a feline basal cell tumour. JSAP 36 (9), 400-401 PubMed.
- Miller M A, Nelson S L, Turk J R et al (1991) Cutaneous neoplasia in 340 cats. Vet Pathol 28 (5), 389-395 PubMed.