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Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common tumor of the equine stomach.<ref>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<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]](18).  The main clinical signs include '''weight loss''' and general ill health.(Merck)  '''Hypertrophic osteopathy''' associated with this neoplastic disease has been reported in one horse(88).  Diagnosis is made by exclusion of other causes of weight loss and gastroscopy.  In most cases, surgical resection is not possible(54) and the prognosis is grave.

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>

 

 

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, 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>hyperfibrinogenaemia and hyperglobulinaemia.<ref name="McKenzie">McKenzie, E.C, Mills, J.N, Bolton, J.R (1997) Gastric squamous cell carcinoma in three horses.  ''Aust Vet J'', 75(7):480-3.</ref>  '''Hypercalcaemia of malignancy''' may also 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>  [[Abdominocentesis]] may demonstrate abnormal [[Colic - Peritoneal Fluid Analysis|peritoneal effusions]] with neoplastic cells, inflammatory exudates<ref name="McKenzie">McKenzie, E.C, Mills, J.N, Bolton, J.R (1997) Gastric squamous cell carcinoma in three horses.  ''Aust Vet J'', 75(7):480-3.</ref> and elevated total protein concentrations.<ref>Tennant, B, Keirn, D.R, White, K.K, Bentinck-Smith, J, King, J.M (1982) Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach of the horse.  ''Equine Vet J'', 14(3):238-43.</ref>  [[Colic Diagnosis - Abdominal Ultrasound|Abdominal ultrasound]] may also help to locate metastases.  The most common finding in the stomach at ''post-mortem'' is a single ulcerated, necrotic mass in the squamous region.<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>  There may also be nodules lining the peritoneum.<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>

 

In most cases, surgical resection is not possible<ref>East, L.M, Savage, C.J (1998) Abdominal neoplasia (excluding urogenital tract).  ''Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract'', 14:475-493.  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> and the prognosis is grave, with a short survival time after diagnosis.<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>

 

|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=title%3A%28%22Squamous+Cell+Carcinoma%22%29+AND+%28title%3A%28gastr*%29+OR+title%3A%28stomach%29%29+AND+od%3A%28horses%29 Gastric Squamous Cell Carcinoma in horses publications]