Last week we showed you the surgical resection of a growth on a penis. The reason for full resection was to achieve a diagnosis to ensure it was not a Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This week follows on from last weeks post, giving you more information on SCC disease.
SCC are frequently diagnosed in horses. They are the most common cancer of the eye. They are also the most common malignant skin tumour of horses: Malignant means they are rapidly changing and highly invasive. Over time they become high risk of spreading around the body. This is why we need to identify them and remove them ASAP.
What do they look like:
Solitary raised masses often with an irregular surface.
Most commonly affected areas:
Eye lids and third eyelid
Genitals- Penis or vulva
Face- lips and nose
Ears
Anal region
Horses most at risk:
Palamino, Grey and Coloured horses
Predisposing factors:
Sunlight exposure
Skin pigmentation
Smegma
Chronic skin irritation
Genetic predisposition is currently being investigated
Treatment:
There are a wide range of treatment options available depending on the location of the lesion. Surgical resection, cryotherapy and chemotherapy would be the most common.
Early treatment is key before local invasion occurs.
A new therapy is being investigated called Photodynamic Therapy: This is a medical treatment that combines light energy with photosensitising agent to target and destroy abnormal cells. And that team…. Is all I know about this treatment as it is new 😉
Prognosis:
Poor without early veterinary intervention