Lingual Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Two Horses.
Authors: Morrison M Lane, Groover Erin, Schumacher John, Newton Joseph, Pereira Mariano Mora
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Lingual Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Two Horses Squamous cell carcinoma ranks among the most prevalent malignancies in equine medicine, yet tumours specifically affecting the tongue remain exceptionally uncommon in the literature. Morrison and colleagues documented two cases—a 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare and an 18-year-old Saddlebred stallion—both presenting with the characteristic triad of progressive weight loss, dysphagia, and ptyalism that warranted investigation via physical examination, radiography, endoscopy, and tongue biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Histopathological examination confirmed lingual SCC in both animals, fundamentally altering their clinical trajectories: one horse was euthanised following diagnosis, whilst the other received radiation therapy with apparent disease stabilisation, at least temporarily. The rarity of this presentation means farriers and equine practitioners should maintain a high index of suspicion for intraoral neoplasia when encountering horses with refractory dysphagia or unexplained weight loss despite adequate feed intake, as early recognition through careful oral examination and diagnostic biopsy may influence treatment options. The variable response to radiation therapy suggests this modality warrants further investigation as a palliative or potentially curative intervention in equine lingual SCC cases, particularly when euthanasia might otherwise be the default recommendation.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Horses presenting with persistent dysphagia, ptyalism, and weight loss warrant oral examination and biopsy to rule out lingual neoplasia, as lingual SCC is underreported and may be more common than recognized
- •Radiation therapy may be a viable treatment option to consider before euthanasia in some cases of equine lingual SCC
- •Radiographs and endoscopic evaluation are useful diagnostic tools to complement physical examination when evaluating suspected oral malignancy in horses
Key Findings
- •Lingual squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in two horses (12-year-old Quarter Horse mare and 18-year-old Saddlebred stallion) presenting with weight loss, dysphagia, and ptyalism
- •Histopathologic examination of tongue biopsies confirmed SCC diagnosis in both cases
- •Radiation therapy appeared to delay lesion progression in one horse, while the other underwent euthanasia