Topical use of 5-fluorouracil for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the external genitalia of horses: 11 cases (1988-1992).

This research article investigates the effectiveness of a topical 5-fluorouracil treatment for horse squamous cell carcinoma, finding it a potentially viable alternative to severe surgical procedures.

Overview of the Study

• In this study, researchers evaluated the use of 5-fluorouracil, a chemotherapy drug, for the topical treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in horses. SCC is a type of skin cancer that can affect various parts of a horse’s body, including the external genitalia.
• Over a four-year period, ten horses with histologically confirmed SCC and one horse with presumed SCC were involved in the research. These horses were treated either with a combination of surgical debridement (the removal of damaged tissue) and topical administration of 5-fluorouracil, or with the topical treatment alone.

Findings of the Study

• The results showed that tumor remission occurred in all of the horses except one where there was a lack of adherence to the treatment regimen by the owner.
• Additionally, there were no reported reoccurrences of SCC amongst the horses after the treatment, highlighting the potential effectiveness of the topical 5-fluorouracil method.

Implications of the Study

• The research suggests that the topical application of 5-fluorouracil could be a practical alternative to the more invasive and demanding process of radical surgical excision, which is the traditional treatment for SCC in horses.
• This study offers valuable insights into SCC management among horses, which could benefit veterinarians and horse owners in handling such health challenges. However, the importance of owner compliance in the treatment process is emphasized, given the instance of failure due to non-compliance.