Changes

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common primary tumor of the equine stomach.<ref name="Olsen">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.  In: Zimmel, D.N (2010) ''Neoplasia of the Alimentary Tract'' in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 15.</ref>  It can affect the cardia and upper squamous regions of the stomach, resulting in a persistent mild [[Colic Diagnosis - Clinical Signs|colic]], commonly seen soon after feeding.  The tumor can invade and metastasize to lymph nodes, the lungs and regions palpable on [[Colic Diagnosis - Rectal Examination|rectal examination]].<ref name="Olsen">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.  In: Zimmel, D.N (2010) ''Neoplasia of the Alimentary Tract'' in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 15.</ref>

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common primary tumor of the equine stomach.<ref name="Olsen">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.  In: Zimmel, D.N (2010) ''Neoplasia of the Alimentary Tract'' in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 15.</ref>  It can affect the cardia and upper squamous regions of the stomach, resulting in a persistent mild [[Colic Diagnosis - Clinical Signs|colic]], commonly seen soon after feeding.  The tumor can invade and metastasize to lymph nodes, the lungs and regions palpable on [[Colic Diagnosis - Rectal Examination|rectal examination]].<ref name="Olsen">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.  In: Zimmel, D.N (2010) ''Neoplasia of the Alimentary Tract'' in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 15.</ref>

==Clinical Signs and Diagnosis==

==Clinical Signs==

The main clinical signs include '''weight loss''' and general ill health.<ref name="Merck">Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition)''', ''Merial''.</ref>  Other signs may include anorexia, lethargy, abdominal distension, hypersalivation, pyrexia, tachypnoea, reduced borborygmi<ref name="Talor">Taylor S.D, Haldorson, G.J, Vaughan, B, Pusterla, N (2009) Gastric neoplasia in horses.  ''J Vet Intern Med'', 23(5):1097-102.</ref> and abnormal chewing and swallowing behaviour.<ref name="Olsen2">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.</ref>  '''Hypertrophic osteopathy''' associated with this neoplastic disease has been reported in one horse.<ref>Schleining, J.A, Voss, E.D (2004) Hypertophic osteopathy secondary to gastric squamous cell carcinoma in a horse.  ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16:304-307.  In: Zimmel, D.N (2010) ''Neoplasia of the Alimentary Tract'' in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 15.</ref>  Diagnosis is made by exclusion of other causes of weight loss and gastroscopy.  Haematology may reveal a normocytic anaemia, neutrophilia and hypoalbuminaemia.<ref name="Olsen2">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.</ref>  [[Colic Diagnosis - Abdominocentesis|Abdominocentesis]] may demonstrate abnormal peritoneal effusions with neoplastic cells.  Nodules lining the peritoneum may be seen at ''post-mortem'' examination.<ref name="Olsen2">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.</ref>

The main clinical signs include '''weight loss''' and general ill health.<ref name="Merck">Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition)''', ''Merial''.</ref>  Other signs may include anorexia, lethargy, abdominal distension, hypersalivation, pyrexia, tachypnoea, reduced borborygmi<ref name="Talor">Taylor S.D, Haldorson, G.J, Vaughan, B, Pusterla, N (2009) Gastric neoplasia in horses.  ''J Vet Intern Med'', 23(5):1097-102.</ref> and abnormal chewing and swallowing behaviour.<ref name="Olsen2">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.</ref>  '''Hypertrophic osteopathy''' associated with this neoplastic disease has been reported in one horse.<ref>Schleining, J.A, Voss, E.D (2004) Hypertophic osteopathy secondary to gastric squamous cell carcinoma in a horse.  ''Equine Vet Educ'', 16:304-307.  In: Zimmel, D.N (2010) ''Neoplasia of the Alimentary Tract'' in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 15.</ref>   

 

Diagnosis is usually made by exclusion of other causes of weight loss and gastroscopy.  Haematology may reveal a normocytic anaemia, neutrophilia and hypoalbuminaemia.<ref name="Olsen2">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.</ref>  [[Colic Diagnosis - Abdominocentesis|Abdominocentesis]] may demonstrate abnormal peritoneal effusions with neoplastic cells. Hypercalcaemia of malignancy may be noted.<ref name="Talor">Taylor S.D, Haldorson, G.J, Vaughan, B, Pusterla, N (2009) Gastric neoplasia in horses.  ''J Vet Intern Med'', 23(5):1097-102.</ref> Nodules lining the peritoneum may be seen at ''post-mortem'' examination.<ref name="Olsen2">Olsen, S.N (1992) Squamous-cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of 5 cases.  ''Vet Rec'', 131:170-173.</ref>

==Treatment and Prognosis==

==Treatment and Prognosis==