Total ear canal ablation for the treatment of auricular hemangiosarcoma in a cat: case report

Ear neoplasms are growths that commonly affect light-coated, unpigmented felines exposed to prolonged sunlight. Another factor associated with these growths is the constant tissue trauma caused by intense pruritus in cases of chronic otitis. Any tissue making up the structure of the pinna can undergo changes and initiate pathogenic cell proliferation. In this context, cutaneous hemangiosarcomas may arise from alterations in the ear's vascular endothelium, albeit less frequently. This report describes the case of a 12-year-old, white, mixed-breed cat with a history of prior pinnectomy and local recurrence. To treat the new lesion, total ear canal ablation combined with cryotherapy of the surgical bed was selected to maximize recurrence-free survival. Histopathological analysis of the surgical specimen confirmed a moderate grade hemangiosarcoma associated with chronic otitis, with clear margins. The patient was referred to for oncological follow-up and remains free of recurrence one year after the procedure.