Squamous cell carcinoma of the canine nasal cavity and frontal sinus: eight cases

Squamous cell carcinoma of the canine nasal cavity and frontal sinus was diagnosed in eight cases between May 1988 and April 1994. The most common presenting complaints were nasal discharge, including epistaxis; sneezing; and facial deformity or exophthalmos. Metastasis was not identified in any case, but bone lysis and invasion into tissues outside the nasal cavity were noted in five cases. Computed tomograms were performed in five cases and were more useful than radiographs in determining the extent of neoplastic involvement. Euthanasia was performed within one week of diagnosis in three cases at the owner's request; one case died at home within one month; and the remaining four cases were euthanized within eight months due to progressive clinical signs. The mean survival time in these eight cases was three months, with a range of zero weeks to eight months.