Palpebral squamous cell carcinoma in an equine treated with electrochemotherapy

A case report

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common skin tumors in equine clinic, the presentation at the level of the eyeball and adnexa it is complex therapeutic approach. There are several factors associated with the risk of developing this type of neoplasia, such as exposure to UV rays, depigmentation and the genetic predisposition of certain breeds. Tumor recurrence is frequent after oncological surgery and sometimes palliative treatment should be chosen. The objective of this work is to report a clinical case in a Paint Horse breeding equine with an eyelid SCC treated with Electrochemotherapy (ECT). The procedure was performed under general anesthesia in the field and later periodic controls were carried out on days 7, 15, 30 and 45 to evaluate the response of the ECT. Was obtained a satisfactory evolution in tumor involution 45 days after the procedure. At present, 24 months after applying the ECT, no recurrences have been observed in the animal. However, the prognosis is reserved, due to the biological characteristics inherent to the type of tumorand the possibilities of recurrence reported for this neoplasia. The clinical case presented offers us ECT as an alternative technique to oncological surgery in SCC of the equine eyelid.