Emily Berryhill
Equine oncology is advancing as horses live longer due to improved veterinary care, creating a need for species-specific diagnostics and treatment protocols. Cutaneous tumors, particularly sarcoids, are most prevalent, yet the evidence base remains limited. Management strategies include surgical excision, topical, intralesional, or systemic chemotherapy, chosen based on tumor type, location, and stage. Chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide are commonly used, often extrapolated from human or companion animal medicine. Treatment challenges include adverse effects, dosing variability, and drug resistance. Intralesional and topical approaches offer favorable safety margins for superficial tumors, while systemic chemotherapy is reserved for advanced disease. Adjunctive therapies, including immunomodulators, escharotics, and biologics, may improve outcomes. Individualized treatment plans, careful monitoring, and continued research are essential to optimize efficacy and minimize toxicity in equine cancer management.