Third eyelid resection as a treatment for suspected squamous cell carcinoma in 24 horses.
Authors: Payne R J, Lean M S, Greet T R C
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Third Eyelid Resection for Squamous Cell Carcinoma Between 2000 and 2007, Payne and colleagues retrospectively reviewed 24 equine cases presenting with suspected third eyelid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), submitting resected tissue for histological examination in 21 instances. Histopathology confirmed SCC in 16 cases, whilst three were reclassified as lymphoid hyperplasia, one as mast cell tumour and one as sebaceous gland adenocarcinoma—highlighting the diagnostic value of tissue analysis over clinical assessment alone. Over a median follow-up period of 41 months, none of the 16 confirmed SCC cases showed recurrence or associated complications, despite six animals being euthanased for unrelated conditions during this timeframe. Resection of the third eyelid appears to offer a definitive and durable treatment approach for SCC at this site, with the additional benefit of clarifying diagnosis in cases where clinical presentation alone may prove misleading. This finding supports surgical excision as a first-line intervention for suspected third eyelid neoplasia, particularly given the favourable long-term prognosis and the relatively straightforward nature of the procedure compared to alternative management strategies.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Third eyelid resection is an effective treatment for equine SCC with excellent long-term outcomes and no recurrence documented over 3+ years
- •Histological examination is essential as clinical diagnosis of third eyelid masses is unreliable—only 76% of suspected SCCs were confirmed, with benign conditions mimicking malignancy
- •Owners should be counselled that prognosis is favorable even when SCC is confirmed, supporting recommendation for surgical treatment rather than euthanasia
Key Findings
- •SCC was histologically confirmed in 16 of 21 cases submitted for examination (76%)
- •Three cases were misdiagnosed as SCC but were actually lymphoid hyperplasia, mast cell tumour, or sebaceous gland adenocarcinoma
- •Third eyelid resection resulted in no recurrence of SCC or associated problems over a median follow-up period of 41 months
- •Six of 16 confirmed SCC cases were euthanased for unrelated reasons during follow-up, indicating good long-term prognosis for the treated condition