Recorded: September & October 2020

ONLINE LECTURE SERIES CONTENT

Horses get cancer too! (Part 1)

This lecture discusses the mechanisms of cancer development in broad terms using equine cancer states as examples where appropriate. It is imperative to understand the mechanisms behind the development of neoplastic diseases, because only then can we understand why and how specific types of neoplasia develop in specific locations. As Prof. Tony Stannard once said, "You cannot expect to treat something that you do not understand”. We will try to answer some of the difficult aspects of cancer development and outline specific pathophysiology aspects.

Equine Sarcoids – A common disease, but how well do we really understand it? (Part 2)

Sarcoids are the most common tumour in horses by far and affect all equid species in all parts of the world. Sarcoids are a persistent cause of significant legal wrangles between owners and veterinarians, particularly in relation to pre-purchase examinations. The main problem with sarcoids is that we do not understand either its aetiopathogenesis nor its epidemiology. This lecture reviews the classification of sarcoids, epidemiological aspects, diagnosis and control of the disease. Finally, we will try to explain why there are over 40 recognised sarcoid treatments...

Equine Melanoma – Debunking the Dogma (Part 3)

Equine melanoma is a very common condition often affecting grey horses but not too rarely also horses of other colours, sometimes very seriously. In the past, we have all been taught to leave them alone on the basis that horses will die with them, but not because of them. Historically this was an acceptable approach, when horses rarely reached 15 years of age. Now that horses are expected to live into their 30s and sometimes 40s, our attitude to the disease has to change. This lecture will also discuss diagnostic and therapeutic options and their limitations.

What do you know about Equine Carcinomas? (Part 4)

Carcinoma is the 3rd most common type of tumour in horses and is associated with the greatest malignancy. All major organs can be affected by carcinomas and diagnosis and treatment may represent a significant challenge. Carcinomas affecting the skin are usually very obvious, frequently belittled and largely ignored until it’s too late to address them effectively. Why do carcinomas represent such a challenge to equine clinicians?

If it isn't a sarcoid and it isn't a melanoma and it isn't a carcinoma, what is it? (Part 5)

There are lots of rare tumours affecting the skin in particular and there are principles of examination that enable us to identify what these are without having to look back into our undergraduate pathology memory bank! The difficulty with many of these conditions is that they are rare and perhaps are just rarely reported. They are commonly misdiagnosed and it is important to remember that there are tumour like conditions and tumours and the difference can be subtle and difficult. If you get it wrong there will be a price to pay so we hope that this lecture will help to clarify at least some of these conditions.

Paraneoplastic Syndrome - How to recognise it early (Part 6)

Paraneoplastic syndromes are commonly overlooked and whilst neoplasia of internal organs and structures are rare in horses compared to most other species, they are easily missed and opportunities for early intervention are lost. This lecture will discuss how to interpret the signs of paraneoplastic syndromes correctly and as early as possible.

Internal Neoplastic Diseases - All hope lost? (Part 7)

Internal neoplastic diseases are rare and few people have extensive experience with these conditions. Late presentation makes a diagnosis easy but unfortunately, little can be done in advanced cases. Early diagnosis is therefore of the essence and internal neoplastic diseases should remain on the differential diagnosis list in horses with vague and non-specific clinical signs until a final diagnosis has been definitively confirmed.