Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Mesothelioma in horses.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1992
- Authors:
- Colbourne, C M et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Veterinary Studies · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Two horses were diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma (a type of cancer affecting the lining of the chest) and pericardial mesothelioma (affecting the lining around the heart) that had spread to the chest area. They showed signs of trouble breathing, low energy, and pain in the chest. Tests revealed a lot of fluid in the affected areas, which contained abnormal cancer cells. Advanced techniques like electron microscopy and special staining tests helped confirm the diagnosis before the horses passed away. Unfortunately, the outcome was not positive, as mesothelioma is a serious condition.
Abstract
Pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma with spread to the pleural cavity were diagnosed in 2 horses. Clinical signs included respiratory distress, depression and pleural pain. The affected body cavities contained copious, serous effusions containing very large neoplastic mesothelial cells with densely-staining cytoplasm, hyperchromic nuclei and prominent, often multiple, nucleoli. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells appeared as solid aggregates, with profuse microvillous borders and neolumen formation. Cytological examination, together with confirmative ancillary diagnostic tests, including electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, may be used to obtain an ante-mortem diagnosis of mesothelioma.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1288473/