Intestinal Cancer in Horses: Expect the Unexpected

Consider cancer as a possibility in older horses with long-bone fractures and no history of trauma, encouraged a group of veterinarians from Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.

Cancer is relatively rare in horses, and intestinal cancers are even more unusual. Because intestinal adenocarcinomas are especially rare, they are not often considered as

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Consider cancer as a possibility in older horses with long-bone fractures and no history of trauma, encouraged a group of veterinarians from Oklahoma State University's Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.

Cancer is relatively rare in horses, and intestinal cancers are even more unusual. Because intestinal adenocarcinomas are especially rare, they are not often considered as an underlying cause of equine fractures.

In the horse, intestinal cancers such as intestinal adenocarcinoma, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, myxosarcoma, ganglioneuroma, nerve sheath tumor, and carcinoid are challenging to differentiate from other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and internal abscesses. Nonetheless, a definitive diagnosis is essential for veterinarians to give horse owners appropriate treatment regimens and prognoses.

Unfortunately, early diagnosis of intestinal neoplasia is difficult because clinical signs are often not noted until an advanced stage of disease

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Written by:

Stacey Oke, MSc, DVM, is a practicing veterinarian and freelance medical writer and editor. She is interested in both large and small animals, as well as complementary and alternative medicine. Since 2005, she’s worked as a research consultant for nutritional supplement companies, assisted physicians and veterinarians in publishing research articles and textbooks, and written for a number of educational magazines and websites.

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