Category: Neoplastic

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 are one of the many causes of colic in horses. In this condition, there is a 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐦𝐚 (a benign tumour of fat) that is 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 (a long stalk with a mass on the end). Thanks to this long stalk, the mass can ends up wrapped around a piece of intestine, causing 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (complete loss of blood supply).

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐚 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 are tumours of granulosa cells, which are the cells of the ovary that produce hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone. These tumours are often huge by the time they are detected, frequently replacing the whole ovary!

𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐃 is an endocrine dysfunction caused by an 𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐚 (a benign tumour) in the pituitary gland of the horse. The pituitary gland’s main job is to produce hormones that control the other hormone-secreting organs, such as the adrenal glands or thyroid gland. So when it develops an adenoma, the tumour can interfere with the normal hormone production of the pituitary gland, causing issues like PPID.

Hemangiosarcoma is a tumour of 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬, which are the cells that line blood vessels. They are most commonly originate in the spleen, skin, heart and liver, but can send metastases anywhere in the body. They are very highly aggressive, and often by the time they are diagnosed, there are already metastases somewhere in the body.

Melanomas are tumours that come from 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐬, which are a type of cell primarily found in the skin. Melanocytes produce 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧, a dark pigment, that helps protect the skin cells from UV light.

Osteosarcomas are tumours that arise directly from the bone. They most commonly develop from the long bones, like the femur or radius, however they can develop from any bone in the body! These tumours very commonly 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 (spread to other organs), particularly to the lungs.