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Equine veterinary journal2008; 40(6); 528-532; doi: 10.2746/042516408X281180

Penile and preputial tumours in the horse: a retrospective study of 114 affected horses.

Abstract: Preputial and penile tumours are more common in horses than in other domestic animals, but no large surveys of male horses with tumours of the external genitalia are available. Objective: To present a retrospective analysis of male horses with neoplasms of the external genitalia. Methods: The penile and preputial tumours of 114 horses were evaluated. Data recorded included age, gelding or stallion and breed; type and site of lesion; involvement of regional lymph nodes; histopathology (including grading of squamous cell carcinoma); and results of radiographic examination of the thorax. Results: Mean age of horses was 19.5 years with no apparent breed predilection. Common presenting clinical signs were irregularities (e.g. the presence of a mass and/or ulceration) on the integument of the penis and prepuce, and purulent or sanguineous discharge from preputial orifice. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most prevalent neoplasm followed by papillomas and melanomas. A basal cell carcinoma, neurofibrosarcoma, adenocarcinoma or fibrosarcoma were each found on single horses. Squamous cell carcinomas with poor differentiation had a higher tendency to metastasise than did more differentiated tumours. Conclusions: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common urogenital tumour of the male horse and occurs primarily in old horses. Horses with poorly differentiated SCCs tend to have a higher incidence of regional metastases. Pathology of lymph nodes, even when not palpably enlarged, is a valuable diagnostic exercise. Radiology of the thorax to detect lung metastases is of little value.
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Publication Date: 2008-05-20 PubMed ID: 18487101DOI: 10.2746/042516408X281180Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research article presents a detailed study on penile and preputial tumours in horses, highlighting the high prevalence of squamous cell carcinoma among aged horses. The authors conducted a retrospective analysis on 114 horses, investigating various factors and presenting key findings on the presentation and metastasis patterns of these tumours.

Research Methodology

  • For this retrospective study, the researchers examined penile and preputial tumours from a total of 114 male horses.
  • The collected data included information on each horse’s age, gelding or stallion status, breed, type and site of lesion, regional lymph nodes involvement, histopathology results (including squamous cell carcinoma grade), and thorax radiographic examination outcomes.

Results of the Research

  • The average age of the horses evaluated in the study was 19.5 years and there didn’t appear to be any breed that was more susceptible to these tumours than others.
  • Typical clinical signs included irregularities, such as the presence of a mass, ulceration on the penis and prepuce skin, and purulent or blood-filled discharge from the preputial orifice.
  • Among the tumours identified, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common, followed by papillomas and melanomas.
  • Other forms of tumour including basal cell carcinoma, neurofibrosarcoma, adenocarcinoma, and fibrosarcoma were each found in individual horses.
  • The study discovered that squamous cell carcinomas with poor differentiation were more likely to metastasise than more differentiated tumours.

Conclusions Drawn

  • The researchers concluded squamous cell carcinoma as the most prevalent urogenital tumour in elderly male horses.
  • Those with poorly differentiated SCCs demonstrated a higher tendency for regional metastases.
  • The research emphasized the importance of lymph nodes pathology as a valuable diagnostic measure, regardless of whether or not they were palpably enlarged.
  • Conversely, radiologic examination of the thorax to detect potential lung metastases was deemed of little value in this context.

Cite This Article

APA
van den Top JG, de Heer N, Klein WR, Ensink JM. (2008). Penile and preputial tumours in the horse: a retrospective study of 114 affected horses. Equine Vet J, 40(6), 528-532. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408X281180

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 40
Issue: 6
Pages: 528-532

Researcher Affiliations

van den Top, J G B
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
de Heer, N
    Klein, W R
      Ensink, J M

        MeSH Terms

        • Age Factors
        • Animals
        • Breeding
        • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / epidemiology
        • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
        • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
        • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horse Diseases / surgery
        • Horses
        • Lymph Nodes / pathology
        • Lymph Nodes / surgery
        • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnosis
        • Male
        • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnosis
        • Neoplasm Staging / veterinary
        • Orchiectomy / veterinary
        • Papilloma / epidemiology
        • Papilloma / pathology
        • Papilloma / surgery
        • Papilloma / veterinary
        • Pedigree
        • Penile Neoplasms / epidemiology
        • Penile Neoplasms / pathology
        • Penile Neoplasms / surgery
        • Penile Neoplasms / veterinary
        • Penis / pathology
        • Penis / surgery
        • Retrospective Studies
        • Urethra / pathology
        • Urethra / surgery

        Citations

        This article has been cited 13 times.
        1. Butkiewicz AF, Zdun M, Jaśkowski JM. Selected Pathologies of the Male Genital Organs in Bulls, Including Frequency, Significance, and Risk Factors: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 25;15(19).
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          doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105897pubmed: 36150643google scholar: lookup
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          doi: 10.1007/s42770-022-00769-3pubmed: 35570259google scholar: lookup
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        10. Straticò P, Varasano V, Celani G, Suriano R, Petrizzi L. Long-Term Outcome of En Bloc Extensive Resection of the Penis and Prepuce Associated with a Permanent Perineal Urethrostomy in a Gelding Affected by Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Case Rep Vet Med 2016;2016:6989450.
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        13. Yaghoobi Yeganeh Manesh J, Shafiee R, Mohammad Bahrami A, Pourzaer M, Pourzaer M, Pedram B, Javanbakht J, Mokarizadeh A, Khadivar F. Cyto-histopathological and outcome features of the prepuce squamous cell carcinoma of a mixed breed dog. Diagn Pathol 2014 Jun 6;9:110.
          doi: 10.1186/1746-1596-9-110pubmed: 24903567google scholar: lookup
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