Is there an uglier word in medicine than “cancer?” This is true in human and veterinary medicine. Many of us view cancer as invasive, debilitating, and fatal. But those who know horses know that while cancer occurs in equids, most of these cancers are sarcoids and melanomas–cancers that are generally benign, but should receive attention from a veterinarian to ensure they aren’t a danger to the horse.

Still, there are other forms of cancers that can strike horses. Although uncommon, sometimes even rare, these cancers range from the local and treatable to the aggressive and deadly. They include lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, granulosa cell tumor, and cancers of the pituitary gland, thyroid, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and bone.

With our aging horse population, we seem to be seeing more cancers. And while chances are you’ll never see one of these cancers in your horse, knowing about the disease, prognosis, and treatment options can help you identify cancer early and make informed decisions should it strike