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Canine
Keratoacanthoma
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Keratoacanthoma
is an inherited benign nailbed condition and is said to be a less grave
type of
squamous cell carcinoma. It is a small tumor that affects the skin
filled with keratin. It is often ulcerated on the surface,
exposing keratin-like material. It lies within the skin and grows
rapidly over a period of a few weeks giving a dome like
appearance. Many of the Keratoacanthomas appear to grow and
regress like hair follicles themselves and can be considered benign
neoplasms.
Diagnosis can be
difficult, as it can be very difficult to
differentiate this lesion from a well-differentiated squamous cell
carcinoma (SCC). The length of history is often the best guide as to
the correct diagnosis, as even the pathology can be difficult to
interpret. A keratoacanthoma should start to regress spontaneously 6-8
weeks after first appearing. If there is no evidence of this occurring,
it should be considered as a squamous cell carcinoma and excised
appropriately.
Nailbed
keratocanthoma (Subungual Keratoacanthoma)
This is a benign
tumor of the nailbed epithelium. This uncommon tumor has only
been described in cats and dogs. Animals 3-14 years old are
affected with no breed or sex preilection noted in cases reported.
The nailbed
epithelium of the forelimbs and hindlimbs is the site of the
tumor. The nailbed is often enlarged and may be twisted,
ulceration of the adjacent epidermis, loss of nail, and secondary
bacterial infection are frequently found.
The tumors are
slow growing and are cured by amputation of the affected digit.
Tumors in the Domestic Animals- Donald J Meuten
