Squamous Cell Carcinoma is one of the more common cancers that horses can get. It occurs more often in horses with pink skin (paints, Appaloosas, cremellos, horses with wide blazes, etc). The junction between the inside and outside of the body - edges of eyelids, nostrils, lips, and genitals - are common places for it to occur. It can start off as an innocent looking little bump, but this can rapidly progress into a bigger uglier mass. Sheath cleanings and examinations by your veterinarian can help identify cancer on the genitals while it is still in its early stages. Eye exams of paints, appaloosas, and horses with pink skin around the eyes can help locate cancer of the upper, lower and third eyelid and on the eyeball itself early.
Compare the
early small mass (left)
with the advanced mass (right). Both are squamous cell carcinoma tumors of the lower eyelid.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is commonly treated by surgical removal of the mass. The tumor itself is sent to a specialist veterinary pathologist who can examine the tissue under a microscope and determine with more certainty that it is SCC, how aggressive it is, and whether the surgery removed the entire tumor or if some was left behind.
After removal, additional therapies may be used to help reduce risk of it recurring. Freezing the surgery site is a common option. Medicines can be used -- in the form of topical creams, injections, or surgically implanted beads of time-release medication -- to help reduce the risk of the tumor coming back or spreading.
If your horse has a mass anywhere on its body, make an appointment with your vet to have it examined.
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