Neoplasia

Equine tumors are rather uncommon; however, of the body regions, the head is a relatively common location for neoplasia, including sarcoids and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin, tumors of the sinus/nasal cavity, and bony tumors of the head. Tumors discussed in the article include odontogenic and bony tumors; sarcoids; tumors of the guttural pouch and pharyngeal and oral mucosa; tumors of the larynx; and tumors of the paranasal sinuses and nasal passages. In general, tumors involving deeper structures of the head carry a poor prognosis; however, some tumors such as sarcoids, ossifying fibromas, and osteomas of the paranasal sinus often can be treated effectively by cytoreductive surgery, with or without adjunctive treatment modalities. The clinical signs, prognoses, and therapeutic options for specific tumor types and locations are reviewed. Ophthalmic tumors are not discussed.