Meibomian Gland Epithelioma Mimicking Eyelid Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Hereford-Cross Steer.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical presentation and histopathology of a meibomian gland epithelioma that clinically resembled squamous cell carcinoma in a steer.

ANIMAL STUDIED: A 15 year-old Hereford-Lowline cross steer presented for evaluation of an approximately 2 × 4 cm ulcerated, pedunculated eyelid mass arising from the right inferior eyelid margin.

PROCEDURES: Excision of the mass followed by adjunctive cryotherapy was performed. The mass was submitted for histopathologic analysis.

RESULTS

Histopathologic evaluation revealed the mass to be consistent with a meibomian gland epithelioma, a neoplastic proliferation of the basal/reserve cells of the meibomian gland. The steer recovered routinely from the procedure with no evidence of regrowth of the mass at 13 months post-operatively.

CONCLUSION

Meibomian gland epitheliomas are one of the most common eyelid tumors of dogs; however, this is the first known report of a histologically confirmed meibomian gland epithelioma in cattle. Clinically, the mass resembled the appearance of squamous cell carcinoma, a common eyelid tumor in Hereford cattle. The clinical misclassification of a benign eyelid mass as squamous cell carcinoma could lead to unnecessary aggressive management such as enucleation, exenteration, or culling. This case confirms the importance of histopathologic analysis of excised tissues to reach an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment and follow-up plans.