Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Management of perianal squamous cell carcinoma with permanent colostomy in a mare.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1994
- Authors:
- Wilson, D A
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 28-year-old Pinto mare was treated for a recurring skin cancer located around her anus. She showed signs of being very tired, eating less than usual, losing weight, having trouble passing stool, and passing blood in her stool. The cancer affected areas near her vulva, perineum, and anus, and there was also a small opening in her rectum. The chosen treatment was a permanent colostomy, which is a surgical procedure to create an opening for waste to exit the body, and this worked well for her for 14 months. Unfortunately, she later became lethargic and stopped eating again, and her overall weakness led to the difficult decision of euthanasia.
Abstract
A 28-year-old Pinto mare was evaluated for multiple recurrences of a perianal squamous cell carcinoma. Clinical signs included lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, dyschezia, and hematochezia. The tumor involved the proximal portion of the vulvar labia, the perineum, and the anus, and there was a rectal fistula just left of the anus. Permanent end-on colostomy without further treatment of the carcinoma was the management option chosen. The colostomy functioned satisfactorily, and the mare's condition was stable for the next 14 months. Recurrence of lethargy and inappetence and development of weakness eventually necessitated euthanasia.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7698924/