Cytologic aspects of oral squamous cell carcinoma in a captive African hedgehog (Altelerix albiventris)

A 3-year-old intact female hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was presented for evaluation of mandibular swelling. Fine needle aspiration of swollen mandibular was performed and smears were stained with Romanowsky type stain for cytological evaluation. Smears were highly cellular with predominance of variably shaped keratinized or non keratinized squamous cells with low numbers of spindloid to abnormally elongated cells. Cytologic impression was squamous cell carcinoma. The mass was surgically removed for histological examination. Microscopically tortuous and anastomosing delicate to broad pegs and nests of neoplastic squamous epithelial cells were supported by a moderate collagenous and spindloid fibroblast stroma. Tumor cells had moderate anisocytosis and mild anisokaryosis and range from moderately to well keratinized, with areas of intratumoral acantholysis accompanied by mixed stromal lymphoplasmacytic, neutrophilic inflammation. The mitotic index is 2-3 per high-power field. Tumor cells were expanding the subcutis subjacent to the layer of skeletal muscle and incorporating the osseous tissue fragments. The final diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma. The patient survived three months after surgery without any further medical treatments.