The use of mitomycin C as an adjunctive treatment for equine ocular squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of topical mitomycin C application as an alternative adjunctive therapy to CO2 laser ablation in the treatment of equine ocular squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
A retrospective clinical study of eight client owned horses in which 10 affected eyes were treated for ocular squamous cell carcinoma over a 17 month period. (March 2003 to August 2004).


METHODS
Each horse was given a general anaesthetic to allow CO2 laser ablation of the lesion(s). Mitomycin C at a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL was then applied intraoperatively to the affected areas for 1 or 5 minutes. Postoperatively a triple antibiotic eye ointment was applied to the eye twice daily and each horse was treated with systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 7 days.


RESULTS
Recurrence following treatment was noted in three eyes. Two of these were retreated and no further signs developed. The remaining eye was enucleated at the request of the owner. Overall 90% of treated eyes appeared free of tumour a minimum of 11 months post treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
In this case series mitomycin C appeared to offer a valid alternative to other adjunctive therapies currently employed in the treatment of equine ocular squamous cell carcinoma.
Oakey Veterinary Hospital, PO Box 2, Oakey, Queensland 4401.
S G
SG
Rayner
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Van Zyl
D000818:Animals; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D016685:Mitomycin