Successful Surgical Removal of Malignant Trichoepithelioma with Epidermal Ulceration in Buccal Region of a Male Terrier Dog: A Case Report

Background: Trichoepitheliomas are follicular adnexal tumors derived from the hair follicle epithelium. While the benign form is more frequently reported, malignant trichoepitheliomas are rare. Reports suggested that the cases of trichoepitheliomas are more common in female dogs as compared to male animals. Dorsal aspect of the neck, trunk and limb are the most common sites for this neoplasm. Methods: A ۱۵-year-old male Terrier dog was presented to the NovinPet Private Veterinary Clinic with a slowly growing mass on the right buccal region. This cutaneous nodule was well-defined, firm, irregular, ulcerated and exophytic, measuring ۳.۱ cm×۲.۸ cm×۲.۱ cm. After Clinical examination, the mass was excised surgically with a safe surgical margin. General anesthesia was induced with a combination of ketamine and diazepam, and maintained with isoflurane and also cefazolin was administered as a prophylactic antibiotic. Tramadol and meloxicam were used to provide postoperative analgesia and anti-inflammatory support. The representive sample was sent to the anatomical pathology laboratory for definitive diagnosis and characterization of the mass. Results: Histopathological examination revealed a malignant trichoepithelioma. A four-month postoperative follow-up showed that the dog no longer demonstrated any of the clinical signs mentioned above. There was no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis as a result of complete removal of the mass with safe margins. Conclusion: The importance of histopathological confirmation in canine skin tumors was highlighted in this case. Additionally, this case showed that surgical excision of adnexal neoplasms with a safe surgical margin can have excellent long-term outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Trichoepitheloma ، Hair follicle ، Neoplasm ، Dog