Squamous cell carcinoma of the equine external genitalia: a review and assessment of penile amputation and urethrostomy as a surgical treatment.
Abstract: A retrospective analysis was performed on 48 cases of suspected neoplasia involving the equine external genitalia. Forty nine squamous cell carcinomata (SCC) and 23 squamous papillomata (SP) were identified. Two cases of epithelial hyperplasia and one case of habronemiasis were also recognised histopathologically. The glans penis was the most common site of tumour development accounting for 53 per cent of cases of SCC and 61 per cent of SP. The urethral diverticulum, urethral process or urethra was involved in 27.6 per cent (8/29) of cases of SCC. Twelve per cent (5/41) of cases of SCC were confirmed to have metastatic involvement of the local lymph nodes. Papillomata showing pre-malignant changes were identified in five cases. Seventy five per cent (36/48) of the animals presented were ponies. All were geldings, mean age 16.5 years. Penile amputation and urethrostomy, preputial ablation and proximal urethrostomy or local excision were used in the surgical management of these animals; three cases were inoperable and destroyed at presentation. Oedema, haemorrhage and stenosis of the urethrostomy site were encountered as post operative complications. Sixty six per cent (6/9) of animals with SCC of the glans penis (without urethral involvement), which had a known history over the follow up period, treated by penile amputation and urethrostomy survived for longer than 18 months. Similarly, of those with urethral involvement only 28.6 per cent (2/7) survived for a similar follow-up period. SCC not uncommonly affects the external genitalia of aged pony geldings and frequently the glans penis. If the lesion is identified before local metastasis occurs, penile amputation and urethrostomy is indicated and the prognosis is favourable.
Publication Date: 1991-01-01 PubMed ID: 2015809DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb02715.xGoogle 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.
- 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 is about the study and evaluation of penile amputation and urethrostomy as a surgical technique in treating equine external genital squamous cell carcinoma, a type of horse’s genital cancer. The study uses retrospective data from 48 suspected cases and shows a promising prognosis when surgery is performed before local metastasis.
Objective and Methodology
- The objective of this study was to review and assess the effectiveness of surgical treatments like penile amputation and urethrostomy in the management of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the external genitalia of horses, specifically geldings (castrated male horses).
- A retrospective analysis was conducted on 48 cases featuring suspected neoplasia (abnormal growth or tumor) in the external genitalia of horses. These cases were then histopathologically examined.
Findings
- Investigation of these cases revealed 49 instances of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 23 of squamous papillomata (SP), two of epithelial hyperplasia (abnormal increase in cells), and one of habronemiasis (a parasitic infection).
- The most common site for tumor development was found to be the glans penis, accounting for over half the cases of SCC and SP.
- The urethra or related structures were involved in about a quarter of SCC cases.
- Local lymph nodes showed signs of metastasis in 12% of SCC cases. Additionally, evidence of pre-malignant changes were found in five papillomata cases.
- Most of the animals presented were pony geldings, with an average age of 16.5 years.
Treatment and Outcomes
- The primary surgical treatments used were penile amputation and urethrostomy, local excision, and preputial ablation with proximal urethrostomy.
- Postoperative complications included oedema (swelling), haemorrhage (excessive bleeding), and urethrostomy site narrowing (stenosis).
- Among SCC cases with known medical history, a 66% long-term survival rate was observed for those without urethral involvement who underwent penile amputation and urethrostomy.
- However, when the urethra was involved, only roughly 28.6% of horses survived for a similar period.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that SCC is not an uncommon affliction in older pony geldings, frequently impacting the glans penis.
- It suggests that if the lesion is located before local metastasis occurs, surgical intervention in the form of penile amputation and urethrostomy could offer a favorable outlook.
Cite This Article
APA
Howarth S, Lucke VM, Pearson H.
(1991).
Squamous cell carcinoma of the equine external genitalia: a review and assessment of penile amputation and urethrostomy as a surgical treatment.
Equine Vet J, 23(1), 53-58.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb02715.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Science, Langford, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Amputation, Surgical / veterinary
- Animals
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / veterinary
- Edema / veterinary
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Papilloma / surgery
- Papilloma / veterinary
- Penile Neoplasms / surgery
- Penile Neoplasms / veterinary
- Penis / surgery
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Urethra / surgery
- Urethral Neoplasms / surgery
- Urethral Neoplasms / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Wotman KL, Chow L, Martabano B, Pezzanite LM, Dow S. Novel ocular immunotherapy induces tumor regression in an equine model of ocular surface squamous neoplasia.. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023 May;72(5):1185-1198.
- Raś A, Otrocka-Domagała I, Raś-Noryńska M. Two different clinical forms of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the perineum and vulva of two mares.. BMC Vet Res 2020 Nov 30;16(1):464.
- Ramsauer AS, Wachoski-Dark GL, Fraefel C, Tobler K, Brandt S, Knight CG, Favrot C, Grest P. Paving the way for more precise diagnosis of EcPV2-associated equine penile lesions.. BMC Vet Res 2019 Oct 22;15(1):356.
- 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.
- Spugnini EP, Bolaffio C, Scacco L, Baldi A. Electrochemotherapy increases local control after incomplete excision of a recurring penile fibrosarcoma in a stallion.. Open Vet J 2016;6(3):234-237.
- Rizk A, Mosbah E, Karrouf G, Abou Alsoud M. Surgical Management of Penile and Preputial Neoplasms in Equine with Special Reference to Partial Phallectomy.. J Vet Med 2013;2013:891413.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
