Clinical assessment of surgery and cryotherapy in bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma (BOSCC) is an economically important ocular neoplasm in cattle that causes visual impairment and reduced productivity in affected animals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of surgical excision, cryotherapy, and their combination in the management of BOSCC in cattle. Eighteen cattle diagnosed with BOSCC based on clinical and pathological examinations were randomly allocated into three equal groups (n=6): group I underwent surgical excision, group II received cryotherapy, and group III was treated with a combination of surgical excision and cryotherapy. The parameters evaluated included tumour regression, healing time, pain score, recurrence, disease-free interval, and overall survival. The combined treatment group demonstrated the highest tumour regression (89.3%), the shortest healing time (12.7 days), the lowest pain score (3.1), complete recovery in all animals (6/6), and no recurrence during the six-month follow-up period. Haematological and physiological parameters remained within normal physiological limits throughout the study, indicating the systemic safety of the treatment protocols. In conclusion, the combination of surgical excision and cryotherapy proved to be the most effective treatment modality for the management of bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma in cattle.