Pathology of unilateral squamous cell carcinoma of horn in a Him-achali Pahari cow - A case study

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of horn is relatively more common and a highly malignant neoplasm, known to affect cattle. The present communication describes a case of well differentiated unilateral SCC of the horn in a Himachali Pahari cow. A ten year old cow was presented to Veterinary Polyclinic Lalhri, Dist. Una Himachal Pradesh with a history of bleeding growth around the base of right horn. Grossly, the growth was spongy, pinkish, cauliflower like in appearance with areas of surface ulceration and hemorrhages. Giemsa stained touch impression cytological smears revealed large number of malignant squamous epithelial cells occurring either individually or in clusters exhibiting hyperchromasia, marked pleomorphism, anisocytosis and anisokaryosis suggestive of SCC. Tissue sample from the ulcerated growth was collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological examination. Histopathological analysis revealed cords and nests of proliferating neoplastic cells consisting of immature polyhedral cells at the periphery and eosinophilic laminated keratin pearls at the centre separated by thin fibrous tissue stroma confirmed it for well differentiated form of SCC. Based on cytological and histopathological findings besides special staining the case was confirmed as well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of horn in a Himachali Pahari cow.