Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, is a cancer that starts in the flat cells covering the skin and lining the mouth. In cats it appears in two main settings.

On the skin it affects the ear tips, nose and eyelids, especially of white or pale cats with thin hair, which are exposed to sun for years. It starts as a scaly or crusty patch, which then reddens, becomes a sore and does not heal. Early lesions can be treated with surgery, freezing or radiation, and the outlook is best when treatment starts early. Keeping a pale cat out of strong sun is worth discussing with your vet.

In the mouth, SCC is the most common cancer, and tends to grow under the tongue or along the gums and jaw. Signs include drooling, bad breath, bloody saliva, difficulty chewing, dropping food, weight loss and a swollen face. These can resemble periodontal disease or stomatitis, so a sore that does not respond to treatment should be rechecked. Oral SCC is aggressive, often found late, and difficult to treat. Surgery, radiation and pain relief may be used, and some owners choose hospice care. Any sore that lasts more than two weeks, or any change in a cat's mouth, deserves a vet visit. Ask your vet about biopsy and options.