Squamous cell carcinoma of the digit (SCCD) is a breed specific nail bed skin cancer with increased risk found in black dogs such as Standard Poodles and Giant Schnauzers. It is a form of skin cancer; more specifically it is a malignant tumour in the epidermal cells of the skin.
SCCD is strongly association with dark coat colors in a number of breeds. Black Standard poodle dogs are at high risk for SCCD, but light coloured dogs, including white and cream are, known to be, unaffected. Although the light colored Standard Poodles have the causal variant at the same frequency as the black Standard Poodles, they do not get the cancer because it is thought that the mutation that is associated with the light coat colour prevents the SCCD causal variant from increasing risk of SCCD.
Squamous cell carcinomas in dogs often appear as a white skin mass or a raised lump on the skin, in the nail beds of the toes, or in the mouth. The mass may bleed or ulcerate as the condition progresses. In dogs, squamous cell carcinomas are the most frequently diagnosed carcinomas.
The variant is a Copy number variation (CNV)
