Equine Gastric Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Friesian Stallion.
Authors: Straticò Paola, Razzuoli Elisabetta, Hattab Jasmine, Guerri Giulia, Celani Gianluca, Palozzo Adriana, Bonanni Daniele, Fruscione Floriana, Varasano Vincenzo, Petrizzi Lucio, Marruchella Giuseppe
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Gastric Squamous Cell Carcinoma A 7-year-old Friesian stallion presented with progressive dysphagia, weight loss, and inappetence attributed initially to oesophageal stenosis; gastroscopic examination revealed a large, necrotic, cauliflower-like mass at the gastric cardia, which post-mortem investigation confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma with metastatic nodules distributed across the omentum, spleen, and liver. Biomolecular analysis identified equine papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV-2) DNA within the neoplastic tissue, providing substantive evidence for viral oncogenesis in this case and implicating EcPV-2 as a potential aetiological agent in equine gastric malignancy. Whilst gastric squamous cell carcinoma remains rare in equines, this case highlights the importance of maintaining diagnostic vigilance when conventional explanations for recurrent dysphagia and systemic signs prove refractory to treatment, particularly given the poor prognosis of advanced gastric neoplasia at presentation. The emerging association with EcPV-2 warrants further epidemiological investigation to determine viral prevalence in asymptomatic populations and establish whether vaccination or prophylactic strategies might be applicable. Practitioners should recognise that progressive weight loss and inappetence coupled with oesophageal signs warrant consideration of neoplastic disease, and early gastroscopic evaluation may improve diagnostic accuracy and potentially inform prognostic counselling.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Persistent weight loss, inappetence, and recurrent fever in horses should warrant gastroscopic examination to rule out gastric malignancy, particularly in cases with concurrent oesophageal stenosis.
- •EcPV-2 may be an important etiological factor in equine gastric squamous cell carcinoma; consider papillomavirus screening in suspicious gastric lesions.
- •Cauliflower-like ulcerated gastric masses with necrotic appearance warrant immediate biopsy and histopathological examination to confirm diagnosis and guide prognosis.
Key Findings
- •A 7-year-old Friesian stallion presented with gastric squamous cell carcinoma affecting non-glandular gastric mucosa with metastases to omentum, spleen, and liver.
- •EcPV-2 genes were detected in neoplastic lesions, supporting the role of equine papillomavirus type 2 in the etiology of equine gastric cancer.
- •Clinical presentation included oesophageal stenosis, weight loss, inappetence, and recurrent hyperthermia preceding diagnosis.