Urothelial carcinoma in a mule.
Authors: Valim A C, Costa A M D, Quitzan J G, Borges A S, Oliveira-Filho J P, Amorim R M, Andrade D G A
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Urothelial Carcinoma in a Mule: A Rare Bladder Tumour Successfully Managed with Combined Chemotherapy and Endoscopic Resection Bladder tumours are uncommon in equids, making diagnosis challenging when clinical presentation mirrors more prevalent conditions such as urolithiasis or cystitis. A 20-year-old mule presenting with one week of haematuria and anaemia underwent cystoscopic examination, which identified a pedunculated mass in the dorsal bladder region; histopathology confirmed urothelial carcinoma. The treatment protocol combined four weekly cystoscopic-guided injections of fluorouracil, with the fourth session revealing tumour regression (reduced vascularity and friability), followed by endoscopic surgical excision—resulting in resolution of haematuria, normalisation of haematocrit values, and absence of gross recurrence over the subsequent 18-month follow-up period. Whilst this single case cannot establish definitive treatment protocols, it demonstrates that combined chemotherapy and minimally invasive endoscopic surgery may offer viable management options for selected bladder neoplasms in equine patients. Practitioners should maintain bladder neoplasia within their differential diagnosis framework for cases presenting with persistent haematuria and anaemia that do not respond to conventional management for cystitis or uroliths, particularly in older animals where tumour prevalence increases.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Include bladder neoplasia in differential diagnoses for equids presenting with hematuria and anemia, as clinical signs overlap with urolithiasis and cystitis
- •Cystoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool for direct visualization and biopsy of bladder lesions, enabling definitive diagnosis
- •Combined chemotherapy and surgical excision via cystoscopy can achieve long-term remission in equine urothelial carcinoma cases
Key Findings
- •Cystoscopy identified a pedunculated intraluminal mass in the dorsal bladder region of a 20-year-old mule with hematuria and anemia
- •Histopathological examination confirmed urothelial carcinoma diagnosis
- •Four weekly cystoscopic guided fluorouracil injections followed by surgical excision resulted in tumor resolution
- •No gross tumor recurrence was observed 18 months post-treatment with return to normal hematocrit and urine appearance