Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Lameness and pleural effusion associated with an aggressive fibrosarcoma in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1997
- Authors:
- Jorgensen, J S et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was brought in because he had been limping on his left front leg for three months. X-rays showed a suspicious area in the upper part of his left arm bone, and further tests confirmed this area was concerning. Two weeks later, the horse had trouble breathing, and additional scans revealed tumors in his chest and abdomen. The diagnosis changed to cancer that had spread, and due to the poor outlook, the horse was put to sleep. A thorough examination after his passing confirmed he had an aggressive type of cancer called anaplastic fibrosarcoma. This case highlights the need to consider cancer as a possible cause of ongoing lameness in horses.
Abstract
An 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was admitted for evaluation of chronic lameness of the left scapulohumeral joint of 3 months' duration. Radiography revealed a radiolucent lesion with the proximal portion of the humerus in the area of the metaphysis. Scintigraphy confirmed radiographic findings, with an increased uptake of technetium Tc 99m medronate in the proximal portion of the left humerus. A preliminary diagnosis of humeral fracture was made. Two weeks later, the horse was readmitted for clinical signs of respiratory distress. Radiographic and ultrasonographic evaluation revealed masses within the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The diagnosis was changed to neoplasm with multiple metastases. Because of the unfavorable prognosis, the horse was euthanatized. Necropsy findings confirmed an aggressive neoplasm. Special histochemical stains, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy were required to characterize the neoplasm as an anaplastic fibrosarcoma. Findings in this horse illustrate the importance of considering neoplasia, resulting in bone lesions, as a possible cause of chronic lameness in horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9143540/