Gigantic Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mixed With Fibrosarcoma in a Mare: Clinical, Laboratory, Ultrasonography and Histopathology Findings.
Authors: Abu-Seida Ashraf M, Wafy Mona N, Hassan Elham A, Ahmed Kawkab A
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
Ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for the majority of equine eye tumours, yet mixed neoplastic presentations remain poorly documented in the literature. This case study of a 10-year-old draft mare with a one-year history of progressive left ocular disease describes the diagnostic findings and pathological features of a rare combined OSCC and fibrosarcoma, including examination by ultrasonography, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. The tumour mass weighed 390 g and had completely destroyed intraocular structures; ultrasound imaging revealed extensive neovascularisation with predominantly arterial blood flow and areas of osseous metaplasia with acoustic shadowing, whilst histopathology confirmed mixed squamous cell and fibrosarcomatous components with positive p53 nuclear immunoreactivity and metastatic involvement of the ipsilateral parotid lymph node. Although the mare was not amenable to surgical treatment, this detailed documentation of imaging and tissue findings provides practitioners with important diagnostic criteria for recognising ocular neoplasia and emphasises that early detection and prompt enucleation offer the best chance of preventing catastrophic complications and improving survival outcomes in affected horses.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Any persistent ocular mass in horses warrants urgent imaging and early surgical intervention (enucleation), as this case demonstrates rapid progression leading to complete eye destruction and regional lymph node involvement within one year
- •Ultrasonography with color Doppler is valuable for pre-operative assessment of ocular tumors, providing information on vascularity and structural involvement that guides surgical planning and prognosis
- •Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent complications and improve survival; delayed intervention in this case resulted in loss of vision, severe tissue destruction, and ultimately death
Key Findings
- •A 10-year-old mare presented with a mixed ocular neoplasm (OSCC with fibrosarcoma) weighing 390 g with complete destruction of the left eye and loss of vision after one year of progression
- •Ultrasonography demonstrated absence of intraocular structures, multiple lobular echogenic tissues, hyperechoic ossification areas with acoustic shadowing, and extensive neovascularization predominantly with arterial blood flow signals
- •Histopathology confirmed mixed squamous cell carcinoma and fibrosarcoma with cartilaginous and osseous metaplasia, positive nuclear p53 immunoreactivity, and metastasis to the left parotid lymph node
- •Postmortem examination revealed no distant metastasis in internal organs despite local regional lymph node involvement