title: Spontaneous regression of "dermal squamous cell carcinoma" in young chickens.
abstract: Eight young chickens with lesions characteristic of those described as dermal squamous cell carcinoma were obtained before slaughter. Lesions were measured; representative lesions were biopsied and examined microscopically; and gross changes were monitored. Lesions appeared to originate as cystic, keratin-filled proliferations of the feather-follicle epithelium. These cysts progressed into raised, keratin-filled, and eventually ulcerated, nodules. Loss of the keratin core resulted in a shallow ulcer that became progressively flattened and regressed into a fibrous dermal scar. All lesions in the broilers regressed in 4 to 16 days (mean 14 days). Twenty roaster lesions completely regressed. For roasters, the mean time to regression was 20 days, with a range of 6 to 93 days. Although there was limited invasion of the dermis by atypical keratinocytes, the overall architecture and biological behavior were more consistent with a benign lesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30605.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hafner
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Harmon
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Glisson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000662:veterinary*; D002645:Chickens; D005241:Feathers; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000473:pathology; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D007633:Keratins