Intestinal adenocarcinoma in ponies: Clinical and pathological findings

Abstract

Summary Intestinal adenocarcinomas (IACs) are rarely described in horses, particularly in ponies. Here, the clinical and pathomorphological findings of three mature ponies with IACs are reported. All animals had a history of recurrent colic, and displayed hyperfibrinogenaemia. Clinical investigations could not confirm intestinal neoplasia. On gross post‐mortem examination, papillary colonic neoplastic masses partially obliterated the intestinal lumen. In two cases, metastases were present. Histologically, IACs were classified as tubulo‐acinar subtypes with occasional stromal osseous metaplasia. In one case, prestenotic impaction had resulted in rupture of the colon with secondary septic peritonitis. In mature ponies suffering from recurrent colic intestinal neoplasia should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Colonic adenocarcinoma resulting in recurrent colic and hematochezia in an Arabian stallion

“…Intestinal carcinomas are generally rare in equids and other domestic animals. Intestinal adenocarcinoma is the second-most common type of intestinal carcinoma (Volker et al, 2017). As with other types of carcinoma, intestinal carcinomas are observed most commonly in older patients, with a mean patient age of twenty years (Taylor et al, 2006).…”

“…In cases of intestinal neoplasia, exfoliation of the tumor may allow detection of neoplastic cells in the fluid (Knottenbelt and Leverhulme, 2014). However, this diagnostic technique is not always accurate as it fails to show neoplastic cells in cases of intraluminal and intramural tumors (Volker et al, 2017). Additionally, the presence of neoplastic cells confirms the presence of the tumor but is unable to pinpoint the exact location of the mass (Knottenbelt and Leverhulme, 2014).…”