Electrochemotherapy for a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in a Vietnamese pot-bellied Pig (Susscrofa)

Veterinary Guidelines for Electrochemotherapy of Superficial Tumors

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) consists in the application of electric pulses to increase chemotherapeutic drug intake (bleomycin, cisplatin, or calcium) into the tumor cells. It has become a very valuable treatment option in veterinary oncology. It is an effective and safe treatment modality, which is not only beneficial as a palliative treatment, but also for a curative approach. Performing the treatment adequately will ensure the best results possible, in the minimum number of sessions, and reduce complications. Usually, only one session is enough to achieve excellent results, but the treatment can be repeated. Several sessions can be necessary in the case of incompletely treated or very extended lesions, as well as in the occurrence of new lesions. ECT is effective for superficial or oral tumors of any histology that are accessible to the electrodes. Intravenous bleomycin is the preferred drug and route of administration, leaving other ways of administration and drugs for selected cases. The guidelines presented here are destined to veterinarians who want to develop their understanding of the basis of ECT and wish to perform it adequately and effectively. In this paper, we also discuss common problems and how to solve them, and we include practical tips to improve the treatment results based on common questions and mistakes of beginner users.

Mucocutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Yucatan Minipig

Minipigs are commonly utilized in dermal toxicology studies, necessitating documentation of background findings, including neoplastic lesions. We describe a case of a Yucatan minipig with a squamous cell carcinoma at the mucocutaneous junction of the lip. The neoplasm appeared grossly as a slightly raised area of skin with ulceration. Histologically, there were nests and trabeculae of neoplastic squamous epithelial cells undergoing keratinization. Multifocally, rafts of these cells were within lymphatic vessels. Squamous cell carcinoma has not previously been reported in Yucatan or other laboratory minipigs, however, has been reported uncommonly in nonlaboratory pot-bellied pigs. Although squamous cell carcinoma has been associated with ultraviolet exposure or papillomavirus in various species, this was unable to be confirmed in this case.