Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Budyonny horse: A case report

Articles in Press

Document Type : Case report

Authors

• Omid Azari ¹
• Seyed Mahdi Ghamsari ²
• Fariborz Moayer ³
• Ali Roustaei ²
• seyedeh houra mortazavi ⁴

¹ University of Tehran, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

² Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

³ bDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran

⁴ Student of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22067/ijvst.2025.92011.1470

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant neoplasm that arises from the stratified squamous epithelium and represents the most commonly reported oral tumor in horses. This case report describes the clinical and histopathological characteristics of gingival SCC in a 23-year-old Budyonny horse with a history of multiple ineffective treatments, including an unsuccessful tumor excision attempt. The horse presented with a large, space-occupying soft tissue mass, excessive drooling, and lateral tongue protrusion. Laboratory findings were consistent with cancer-related anemia, and diagnostic imaging revealed extensive mandibular bone lysis due to the tumor’s destructive nature. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of gingival SCC, characterized by keratin pearl formation and a high mitotic index. The owner declined further intervention owing to the poor prognosis and high treatments costs associated with the condition, and the horse died 6 months after presentation. This case highlights the challenges of managing advanced gingival SCC in equines and underscores the need for early detection and intervention.

Keywords

• Equine
• Oral
• Tumor
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Main Subjects

• Pathobiology

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