Colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumor resulting in recurrent colic and hematochezia in a warmblood gelding.
Abstract: A 14-year-old Trakehner gelding was evaluated for recurrent colic, with episodes occurring over 1 year. Signs were consistent with intermittent ascending colon obstruction and hematochezia. Necropsy examination revealed an ulcerated mass extending into the lumen of the right dorsal ascending colon. Gross and histologic appearance and immunoreactivity to c-kit (CD117), desmin, vimentin, and smooth muscle actin, were consistent with a diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Tumeur ventrale gastro-intestinale du côlon produisant des coliques et de l’hématochézie et des coliques récurrentes chez un hongre à sang chaud. Un hongre Trakehner âgé de 14 ans a été évalué pour des coliques récurrentes et les épisodes duraient depuis 1 an. Les signes étaient conformes à une obstruction intermittente du côlon ascendant et à l’hématochézie. La nécropsie a révélé une masse ulcéreuse s’étendant dans la lumière du côlon ascendant dorsal droit. L’apparence brute et histologique et l’immunoréactivité à c-kit (CD117), à la desmine, à la vimentine et à l’actine des muscles lisses étaient conformes au diagnostic de tumeur ventrale gastro-intestinale.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
Publication Date: 2014-05-03 PubMed ID: 24790234PubMed Central: PMC3992309DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.03.032Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study describes the case of a 14-year-old horse that suffered from a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the colon, causing recurrent colic and bloody stool for a year.
Clinical Presentation
- The horse under study was a 14-year-old Trakehner gelding. Trakehner is a warmblood horse breed of East Prussian origin, known for their strength, stamina, and agility. Gelding refers to a castrated male horse.
- The horse was suffering from recurrent colic (severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen that is caused by the spasm or obstruction of any hollow or tubular soft organ) that had been happening occasionally over a period of one year.
- The horse also exhibited hematochezia, which is the passage of fresh blood via the anus, usually in or with stools. This is a clear sign of a significant problem in the digestive system.
Diagnosis and Findings
- The horse was suspected to have an intermittent blockage in the rising colon (ascending colon), which is the part of the large intestine that carries feces from the cecum to the transverse colon.
- During an autopsy, an ulcerated mass was found in the lumen (the inside space) of the right dorsal ascending colon. Dorsal refers to the upper side or back of an animal. So, in this case, it’s the upper part of the colon.
- The mass was examined both visually (gross appearance) and under a microscope (histologic appearance).
Confirmation of the Tumor
- The mass in the colon exhibited immunoreactivity to several proteins – c-kit (CD117), desmin, vimentin, and smooth muscle actin. This means the mass produced an immune response to these proteins.
- These proteins are normally associated with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a type of tumor that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract.
- The visual and microscopic appearance of the mass, along with its immunoreactivity to the specific proteins, confirmed its diagnosis as a GIST.
In conclusion, the study documents a rare case of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a horse resulting in recurrent colic and hematochezia. The findings highlight the need for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, illustrating the potential severity and lethality of GISTs in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Malberg JA, Webb BT, Hackett ES.
(2014).
Colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumor resulting in recurrent colic and hematochezia in a warmblood gelding.
Can Vet J, 55(5), 471-474.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.03.032 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Colorado State University, Department of Clinical Sciences, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA (Malberg, Hackett); North Dakota State University, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Dept. 7691, PO Box 6050, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, USA (Webb).
- Colorado State University, Department of Clinical Sciences, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA (Malberg, Hackett); North Dakota State University, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Dept. 7691, PO Box 6050, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, USA (Webb).
- Colorado State University, Department of Clinical Sciences, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA (Malberg, Hackett); North Dakota State University, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Dept. 7691, PO Box 6050, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, USA (Webb).
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colic / etiology
- Colic / veterinary
- Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
- Colonic Neoplasms / veterinary
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / veterinary
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / complications
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / pathology
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
References
This article includes 20 references
- Taylor SD, Pusterla N, Vaughan B, Whitcomb MB, Wilson WD. Intestinal neoplasia in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2006;20:1429–1436.
- Del Piero F, Summers BA, Cummings JF, Mandelli G, Blomme EA. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors in equids.. Vet Pathol 2001;38:689–697.
- Haga HA, Ytrehus B, Rudshaug IJ, Ottesen N. Gastrointestinal stromal tumour and hypoglycemia in a Fjord pony: Case report.. Acta Vet Scand 2008;50:9.
- Frost D, Lasota J, Miettinen M. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors and leiomyomas in the dog: A histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic study of 50 cases.. Vet Pathol 2003;40:42–54.
- Tan CB, Zhi W, Shahzad G, Mustacchia P. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A review of case reports, diagnosis, treatment, and future directions.. ISRN Gastroenterol 2012;2012:595–968.
- Moran JA, Lemberger K, Cadore JL, Lepage OM. Small intestine adenocarcinoma in conjunction with multiple adenomas causing acute colic in a horse.. J Vet Diagn Invest 2008;20:121–124.
- Roy MF, Parente EJ, Donaldson MT, Habecker P, Axon J. Successful treatment of a colonic adenocarcinoma in a horse.. Equine Vet J 2002;34:102–104.
- Harvey-Micay J. Intestinal adenocarcinoma causing recurrent colic in the horse.. Can Vet J 1999;40:729–730.
- Hillyer MH, Mair TS. Recurrent colic in the mature horse: A retrospective review of 58 cases.. Equine Vet J 1997;29:421–424.
- Kiper ML, MacAllister C, Qualls C. Hematochezia attributable to cranial mesenteric arterial aneurysm with connecting tracts to cecum and ileum in a horse.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1988;193:1278–1280.
- East LM, Trumble TN, Steyn PF, Savage CJ, Dickinson CE, Traub-Dargatz JL. The application of technetium-99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) labeled white blood cells for the diagnosis of right dorsal ulcerative colitis in two horses.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2000;41:360–364.
- Speirs VC, Christie BA, van Veenendaal JC. The management of rectal tears in horses.. Aust Vet J 1980;56:313–317.
- Diab SS, Songer G, Uzal FA. Clostridium difficile infection in horses: A review.. Vet Microbiol 2013.
- Hafner S, Harmon BG, King T. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the equine cecum.. Vet Pathol 2001;38:242–246.
- Muravnick KB, Parente EJ, Piero FD. An atypical equine gastrointestinal stromal tumor.. J Vet Diagn Invest 2009;21:387–390.
- Fulton IC, Brown CM, Yamini B. Adenocarcinoma of intestinal origin in a horse: Diagnosis by abdominocentesis and laparoscopy.. Equine Vet J 1990;22:447–448.
- Servantie J, Magnol JP, Regnier A, Lescure F, Merritt AM. Carcinoma of the renal pelvis with bony metaplasia in a horse.. Equine Vet J 1986;18:236–238.
- Tennant B, Keirn DR, White KK, Bentinck-Smith J, King JM. Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach of the horse.. Equine Vet J 1982;14:238–243.
- Mair TS, Hillyer MH. Clinical features of lymphosarcoma in the horse: 77 cases.. Equine Vet Educ 1992;4:108–113.
- Lamba G, Ambrale S, Lee B, Gupta R, Rafiyath SM, Liu D. Recent advances and novel agents for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). J Hematol Oncol 2012;5:21.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
