Publication Details
Abstract
Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is not rare or clinically insignificant health status in cattle, and vulvar lipoma is a benign lesion. These entities need to be differentiated as the prognosis and management differ significantly. Describing clinical presentation, surgical management, and histopathological features of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and lipoma in female dairy cattle in Wasit province (Iraq). Twenty five of Holstein cows and calves which having a vulvar and/or vaginal mass were subjected initially to clinical examination including rectal palpation, speculum inspection, surgical resection under local or epidural anesthesia, and histopathological analysis of collected tissue sections. The results indicated that such lesions were spread among cows ranging between 10 days (female calf) to 9 years and above; in this case, adult (72%) was significantly higher than young (28%) female cattle. Lesions were found in a wide age category including a 10-day-old calf girl. The clinical manifestations were mass, pain, ulcer, hemorrhage, malodor, and parasite infestation in some animals. Excision was complete in all, one 9-year-old cow had a mass of 0.5 kg. The VSCC cases were histologically characterized by invasive nests and cords containing atypical squamous epithelium with keratin pearl formation, stromal desmoplasia, and irregular necrosis and suppurative inflammation. Lipomas were made up of well-differentiated adipocytes which are organized into lobules. In most animals, postoperative recovery went off without further incident when wound care was provided and there were clear surgical margins that were correlate with positive short-term prognosis. VSCC and vulvar lipoma show a similar clinical presentation but different histopathology and prognosis. Total surgical resection with sufficient margins is a good initial treatment and histopathology optimizes diagnosis and prognostication. Timely surgery and early detection can enhance the outcome of the affected cattle.