FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2012; 242(1); 99-104; doi: 10.2460/javma.242.1.99

Cutaneous neoplastic lesions of equids in the central United States and Canada: 3,351 biopsy specimens from 3,272 equids (2000-2010).

Abstract: To identify epidemiological trends in cutaneous neoplasms affecting equids in central North America and compare them with previously reported trends. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 3,351 cutaneous biopsy specimens from 3,272 equids with a neoplastic diagnosis. Methods: Diagnostic reports from 2 diagnostic laboratories (Colorado State University and Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc) were reviewed for frequency of specific lesions and epidemiological trends. Variables included in analyses (if known) were age, sex, breed, geographic location, date of diagnosis, location of neoplasm on the body, and presence or absence of ulceration. Results: Sarcoid, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma were the 3 most common tumors diagnosed. Tumors associated with UV radiation (SCC, SCC in situ, hemangioma, hemangiosarcoma) were 2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8 to 3.0) times as common in biopsy specimens received by Colorado State University than in specimens received by Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc. Appaloosa horses and American Paint horses, respectively, were 7.2 (95% CI, 5.6 to 9.2) and 4.4 (95% CI, 3.6 to 5.4) times as likely as other breeds to have tumors associated with UV radiation. Thoroughbreds were predisposed to cutaneous lymphoma, whereas Arabians were more likely to have melanomas. Draft and pony breeds were 3.1 (95% CI, 1.9 to 5.1) times as likely as other breeds to have benign soft tissue tumors. Morgans and pony breeds more commonly had basal cell tumors. Tumors in the perianal region were significantly more likely to be SCC or melanoma while tumors on the limbs were more likely to be giant cell tumor of soft parts. Conclusions: Signalment, anatomic location of the mass, and geographic location of the horse can be used to help equine practitioners formulate differential diagnoses for cutaneous masses. Further research is necessary to identify the biological basis for the development of many equine cutaneous neoplasms.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2012-12-14 PubMed ID: 23234288DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.1.99Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The study aims to identify trends in skin cancer in horses in central North America, comparing these trends with previously reported ones. The study examined 3351 skin biopsy specimens from 3272 horses diagnosed with cancer, finding melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and sarcoid to be the most common types of tumor.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers used a retrospective case series method where they reviewed diagnostic reports of biopsy specimens from two diagnostic laboratories – Colorado State University and Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc.
  • They collected a range of data for each case. Variables included age, sex, breed, geographic location, date of diagnosis, location of neoplasm on the body and the presence or absence of ulceration. This allowed them to assess various epidemiological trends associated with equine cutaneous neoplasms.

Research Findings

  • Sarcoid, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma were identified as the three most common tumors diagnosed in horses.
  • The researchers discovered a link between exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and certain types of cancer. These tumors were 2.3 times as common in samples sent to Colorado State University than those sent to the Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc.
  • The study identified certain breeds of horses that were more likely to develop certain types of tumors. For example, Appaloosa and American Paint horses were significantly more likely to have tumors associated with UV radiation. Other breeds, such as thoroughbreds and Arabians, were more likely to develop cutaneous lymphoma and melanomas respectively. Draft and pony breeds were more likely to develop benign soft tissue tumors. Basal cell tumors were more common in Morgans and pony breeds.
  • The location of the tumor on the horse’s body also correlated with the type of cancer. Tumors in the perianal region were more likely to be melanoma or SCC, and tumors on the limbs were more likely to be giant cell tumor of soft parts.

Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that the data such as the horse’s breed, the location of the mass, and the horse’s geographic location can be used by vets to help determine potential diagnoses for skin masses.
  • The study also highlighted the need for further research to better understand the biological basis behind the development of many equine skin neoplasms.

Cite This Article

APA
Schaffer PA, Wobeser B, Martin LE, Dennis MM, Duncan CG. (2012). Cutaneous neoplastic lesions of equids in the central United States and Canada: 3,351 biopsy specimens from 3,272 equids (2000-2010). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 242(1), 99-104. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.242.1.99

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 1943-569X
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 242
Issue: 1
Pages: 99-104

Researcher Affiliations

Schaffer, Paula A
  • Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology and the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Wobeser, Bruce
    Martin, Laura E R
      Dennis, Michelle M
        Duncan, Colleen G

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Biopsy
          • Canada / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / classification
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / pathology
          • Horses
          • Retrospective Studies
          • Skin Neoplasms / classification
          • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
          • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
          • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary
          • United States / epidemiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 15 times.
          1. Monteiro MM, de Castro ELA, Pereira AJM, Thiesen R, Thiesen RMC, Salvarani FM. BCG Immunotherapy in Equine Sarcoid Treatment: Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, and Challenges in Veterinary Oncology. Viruses 2025 Sep 29;17(10).
            doi: 10.3390/v17101322pubmed: 41157593google scholar: lookup
          2. Beermann A, Hamza E, Reinhard S, Koch C, Oberhänsli T, Unger L. Selected microRNAs as biomarkers in sarcoid-affected horses under immunotherapy with a mistletoe extract. J Vet Diagn Invest 2026 Jan;38(1):33-40.
            doi: 10.1177/10406387251362820pubmed: 41039872google scholar: lookup
          3. Quatember H, Nell B, Richter B, Rigler D, Dolezal M, Sykora S, Wallner B. Studying the Impact of the DDB2 T338M Missense Mutation on the Development of Equine Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Sarcoid. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 22;15(7).
            doi: 10.3390/ani15070911pubmed: 40218305google scholar: lookup
          4. Labelle AL, Gemensky Metzler AM, McMullen RJ Jr, Wiggans KT, Labelle P, Hamor RE. Equine intraocular melanocytic neoplasia. Can Vet J 2024 Oct;65(10):1048-1054.
            pubmed: 39355695
          5. Beermann A, Clottu O, Reif M, Biegel U, Unger L, Koch C. A randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded study comparing oral and subcutaneous administration of mistletoe extract for the treatment of equine sarcoid disease. J Vet Intern Med 2024 May-Jun;38(3):1815-1824.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.17052pubmed: 38529853google scholar: lookup
          6. Ramirez M, Duncan C, Schaffer PA, Wobeser B, Magzamen S. Environmental risk factors for UV-induced cutaneous neoplasia in horses: A GIS approach. Can Vet J 2023 Oct;64(10):971-975.
            pubmed: 37780476
          7. Tura G, Brunetti B, Brigandì E, Rinnovati R, Sarli G, Avallone G, Muscatello LV, La Ragione RM, Durham AE, Bacci B. Expression of Cell-Cycle Regulatory Proteins pRb, Cyclin D1, and p53 Is Not Associated with Recurrence Rates of Equine Sarcoids. Vet Sci 2022 Sep 1;9(9).
            doi: 10.3390/vetsci9090474pubmed: 36136690google scholar: lookup
          8. Hamza E, Cosandey J, Gerber V, Koch C, Unger L. The potential of three whole blood microRNAs to predict outcome and monitor treatment response in sarcoid-bearing equids. Vet Res Commun 2023 Jan;47(1):87-98.
            doi: 10.1007/s11259-022-09930-7pubmed: 35484337google scholar: lookup
          9. Saba C, Eggleston R, Parks A, Peroni J, Sjoberg E, Rice S, Tyma J, Williams J, Grosenbaugh D, Leard AT. ALVAC-fIL2, a feline interleukin-2 immunomodulator, as a treatment for sarcoids in horses: A pilot study. J Vet Intern Med 2022 May;36(3):1179-1184.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.16425pubmed: 35416353google scholar: lookup
          10. Horvath S, Haghani A, Peng S, Hales EN, Zoller JA, Raj K, Larison B, Robeck TR, Petersen JL, Bellone RR, Finno CJ. DNA methylation aging and transcriptomic studies in horses. Nat Commun 2022 Jan 10;13(1):40.
            doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-27754-ypubmed: 35013267google scholar: lookup
          11. Cosandey J, Hamza E, Gerber V, Ramseyer A, Leeb T, Jagannathan V, Blaszczyk K, Unger L. Diagnostic and prognostic potential of eight whole blood microRNAs for equine sarcoid disease. PLoS One 2021;16(12):e0261076.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261076pubmed: 34941894google scholar: lookup
          12. Crausaz M, Launois T, Smith-Fleming K, McCoy AM, Knickelbein KE, Bellone RR. DDB2 Genetic Risk Factor for Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma Identified in Three Additional Horse Breeds. Genes (Basel) 2020 Dec 5;11(12).
            doi: 10.3390/genes11121460pubmed: 33291392google scholar: lookup
          13. Singer-Berk MH, Knickelbein KE, Lounsberry ZT, Crausaz M, Vig S, Joshi N, Britton M, Settles ML, Reilly CM, Bentley E, Nunnery C, Dwyer A, Lassaline ME, Bellone RR. Additional Evidence for DDB2 T338M as a Genetic Risk Factor for Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Horses. Int J Genomics 2019;2019:3610965.
            doi: 10.1155/2019/3610965pubmed: 31637255google scholar: lookup
          14. Unger L, Jagannathan V, Pacholewska A, Leeb T, Gerber V. Differences in miRNA differential expression in whole blood between horses with sarcoid regression and progression. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jan;33(1):241-250.
            doi: 10.1111/jvim.15375pubmed: 30506726google scholar: lookup
          15. Schaffer PA, Wobeser B, Dennis MM, Duncan CG. Non-neoplastic lesions of equine skin in the central United States and Canada: a retrospective study. Can Vet J 2013 Mar;54(3):262-6.
            pubmed: 23997263
          Subscribe to our newsletter
          Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.