Intestinal adenocarcinoma causing recurrent colic in the horse.

This research article discusses the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a Thoroughbred-cross mare that was experiencing recurrent colic, which was eventually determined to be caused by an intestinal adenocarcinoma.

Case Presentation and Symptoms

• The research begins by detailing the case of an 8-year-old Thoroughbred-cross mare that was brought in with recurrent bouts of colic.
• The horse’s condition wasn’t improving despite various treatments, which prompted a thorough diagnostic examination.

Exploratory Laparotomy and Findings

• In an attempt to identify the root cause of the recurrent colic, a surgical procedure known as an exploratory laparotomy was performed.
• During this process, they discovered a large mass located near the right dorsal colon of the horse.
• Additionally, they found abnormal white, raised foci on the liver, as well as enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, indicating a potential issue with the liver and the lymphatic system of the horse.

Biopsies and Diagnoses

• To confirm the nature of these findings, cytological examinations were carried out on the biopsies taken from the horse.
• The results of these tests revealed the presence of neoplastic cells, which are commonly associated with cancerous growths.
• Following the identification of these cells, a histological examination was performed for further confirmation.
• The outcome of the histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that forms in mucus-secreting glands, in this case in the intestinal tract of the horse, which explained the repeated colic episodes the horse had been experiencing.