Hemangiosarcoma in 11 young horses.
Abstract: Hemangiosarcoma is a rare neoplasm of horses and hemangiosarcoma in young horses might behave differently than in mature horses. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of hemangiosarcoma occurring in horses < or = 3 years of age. Medical records from 1982 to 2004 were searched for horses < or = 3 years of age with a histopathologic diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. Eleven records were identified. Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred crosses predominated. Age ranged from 9 days to 3 years. All horses presented with cutaneous or leg swellings or joint effusion. Physical examination findings included tachycardia, fever, and depression. Laboratory abnormalities included anemia (5/11), hyperfibrinogenemia (4/11), hypofibrinogenemia (3/11), thrombocytopenia (2/11), and neutrophilic leukocytosis (1/11). Ultrasonographic and radiographic evaluation was not diagnostic in any case. Antemortem histopathologic diagnosis was obtained in 10 cases. Six of 11 horses were euthanized. Surgical resection was performed in 5 horses, 2 of which were later euthanized. Diagnosis was confirmed histologically at postmortem examination in all euthanized horses. Two cases resolved spontaneously. Early histopathologic diagnosis may allow cure if the mass is localized and amenable to surgical resection. In cases where the horse is medically stable, and masses are not interfering with quality of life, a period of observation may be warranted.
Publication Date: 2005-08-13 PubMed ID: 16095175DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(2005)19[564:hiyh]2.0.co;2Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The abstract presents a study about hemangiosarcoma, a rare type of cancer in horses, specifically in horses three years of age or younger. The research aimed to identify the characteristics and possibly different behavior of this cancer in younger horses in order to guide treatment options.
Study Details
- The research took into account medial records of horses who were three years old or younger spanning a period from 1982 to 2004.
- Out of the reviewed medical records, only eleven horses were identified with a histopathologic diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma.
- The study determined that Thoroughbreds and Thoroughbred crosses were predominantly affected by this condition.
- The ages of the horses in the study ranged from as little as 9 days old to 3 years old.
Presenting Symptoms
- The horses showed symptoms of cutaneous or leg swellings or joint effusion.
- Physical examination findings revealed tachycardia, fever, and depression.
- Laboratory tests showed abnormalities such as anemia, hyperfibrinogenemia (high fibrinogen levels in the blood), hypofibrinogenemia (low fibrinogen levels), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), and neutrophilic leukocytosis (increased white blood cell count).
Diagnostic Procedures & Results
- Ultrasonographic and radiographic evaluations were conducted on the horses, but they failed to provide a diagnostic outcome.
- A histopathologic diagnosis was obtained before death in ten of the cases.
- Postmortem examinations confirmed the diagnosis in all cases where the horse had been euthanized.
Treatment & Outcomes
- Six out of the eleven horses had to be euthanized.
- Surgical resection was attempted on five horses, however, two of those horses had to be euthanized later on.
- Two of the cases resolved spontaneously.
- The researchers suggest that early histopathologic diagnosis could allow for curative treatment if the tumor is localized and can be surgically removed.
- In cases where the horse is stable, and the swellings or masses do not interfere with its quality of life, the researchers suggest a period of observation might be beneficial before deciding on invasive treatment options.
Cite This Article
APA
Johns I, Stephen JO, Del Piero F, Richardson DW, Wilkins PA.
(2005).
Hemangiosarcoma in 11 young horses.
J Vet Intern Med, 19(4), 564-570.
https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2005)19[564:hiyh]2.0.co;2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania, George D. Widener Hospital, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Hemangiosarcoma / diagnosis
- Hemangiosarcoma / pathology
- Hemangiosarcoma / therapy
- Hemangiosarcoma / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Satué K, Gardon JC, Muñoz A. Clinical and laboratorial description of the differential diagnoses of hemostatic disorders in the horse.. Iran J Vet Res 2020 Winter;21(1):1-8.
- Stock ML, Smith BI, Engiles JB. Disseminated hemangiosarcoma in a cow.. Can Vet J 2011 Apr;52(4):409-13.
- Poulsen KP, McSloy AC, Perrier M, Prichard MA, Steinberg H, Semrad SD. Primary mandibular hemangiosarcoma in a bull.. Can Vet J 2008 Sep;49(9):901-3.
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