Lingual Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Two Horses.

The research article reports on two instances of lingual Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) in horses – a rarely mentioned condition. Following rigorous evaluations and biopsy tests, the diagnosis of SCC led to euthanasia for one horse, while the other saw an apparent delay in disease progression thanks to radiation therapy.

Background: Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Horses

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is among the most prevalent malignant neoplasms found in horses, although oral SCC in horses is rarely reported.
• The study presents two separate cases involving a 12-year-old American Quarter Horse mare and an 18-year-old American Saddlebred stallion suffering from weight loss, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and ptyalism (excessive saliva production). These symptoms prompted their presentation at the Auburn University Large Animal Teaching Hospital.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Both horses underwent comprehensive physical examinations, skull radiographs, and oral examinations.
• Additionally, a Complete Blood Count and serum biochemistry profile were conducted to gain further insights into their overall health and possibly infer the underlining cause of their symptoms.
• Endoscopic evaluation of the mouth was also performed to detect any lesions or abnormalities.
• A tissue biopsy from a discovered lingual lesion solidified the diagnostic procedure. The extracted tissue underwent histopathologic assessment to ascertain the nature of the lesion.

Findings and Outcomes

• The histopathologic analysis determined that both horses were suffering from Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a significant finding given the rarity of this lesion within equine tongues.
• Following the diagnosis, one horse was euthanized. The article did not delve into the specific reasons behind the conclusion to euthanize the horse, but it can be inferred that either the animal’s general condition or the severity of the SCC could have made successful treatment improbable.
• Interestingly, the other horse went through radiation therapy. The treatment seemed to delay the progression of the SCC lesion, indicating that radiation therapy could be a viable management option for horses diagnosed with lingual SCC, depending on the individual disease course.