Book a vet visit soon
Not usually an emergency, but it needs a diagnosis and a plan.
A skin cancer that may appear on lightly pigmented, sun-exposed skin or around the eyes, lips and vulva.
- Category
- Skin & fleece
- Urgency
- Book a vet visit soon
Signs & symptoms
- Non-healing sores or growths
- Bleeding or crusting masses
What causes it?
Chronic sun exposure and other factors.
Risk factors
- Light-skinned areas exposed to sun
How vets diagnose it
Biopsy.
Treatment
Surgical removal or other therapies if caught early.
Prevention
- Shade
- Check lightly pigmented skin at shearing
Background
Squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC), also known as epidermoid carcinoma, comprises a number of different types of cancer that begin in squamous cells. These cells form on the surface of the skin, on the lining of hollow organs in the body, and on the lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts.From Wikipedia — “Squamous-cell carcinoma”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Research & references
PubMed lists 12 peer-reviewed papers on this topic in camelids. The most relevant include:
- Novel trispecific killer engager targeting B7-H3 enhances natural killer cell antitumor activity against head and neck cancer. Khaw MJ, Zorko NA, Kennedy PR et al. Journal for immunotherapy of cancer, 2025. PubMed 40707133 · DOI · Free full textOpen access · cited 11×
- Ocular diseases of llamas: 194 cases (1980-1993). Gionfriddo JR, Gionfriddo JP, Krohne SG Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1997. PubMed 9187731 · cited 31×
- Evaluation of a Novel MET-Targeting Camelid-Derived Antibody in Head and Neck Cancer. Minne RL, Luo NY, Mork CM et al. Molecular pharmaceutics, 2024. PubMed 39513517 · DOI · cited 6×
- Noninfectious diseases, metabolic diseases, toxicities, and neoplastic diseases of South American camelids. Smith JA The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice, 1989. PubMed 2647230 · DOI · cited 45×
- Gastric squamous cell carcinoma and fascioliasis in a llama. Cornick JL The Cornell veterinarian, 1988. PubMed 3402219 · cited 17×
- Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma associated with gastric ulcers in alpacas. Neubert S, Wagener MG, Ganter M et al. Scientific reports, 2024. PubMed 39715809 · DOI · Free full textOpen access
Frequently asked questions
What is squamous Cell Carcinoma in alpacas?
A skin cancer that may appear on lightly pigmented, sun-exposed skin or around the eyes, lips and vulva.
What are the signs of squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Non-healing sores or growths and bleeding or crusting masses.
How do you prevent squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Shade. Check lightly pigmented skin at shearing.
Is squamous Cell Carcinoma an emergency?
Book a vet visit soon. Not usually an emergency, but it needs a diagnosis and a plan.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.