Initial experience with high dose rate brachytherapy of periorbital sarcoids in the horse. (16th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hollis, A. R.; Berlato, D.
• Is Part Of: Equine veterinary education. Volume 30:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 444
• Page End: 449
• Publication Date: 2017-07-16
• Subjects: horse -- cancer -- radiotherapy -- iridium -- skin -- tumour -- radiation; Horses -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Horses -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 636.108905
• DOI: 10.1111/eve.12782
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-7734

Abstract

Summary: Periorbital sarcoids are a common condition in the horse and are difficult to treat due to their location and invasive nature. Radiotherapy is considered the gold standard treatment, and high dose rate brachytherapy (HDRB) may represent a safer and more effective method of delivering radiotherapy in the standing sedated horse. The objective of this retrospective clinical case series study was to describe the response rate and safety of HDRB for the treatment of periorbital sarcoids in the horse. Horses and ponies referred for HDRB treatment of confirmed periorbital sarcoids were eligible for inclusion in the study. Sarcoids were confirmed via clinical diagnosis and biopsy. Horses were given 2 fractions of 12.5 Gy per fraction, delivered a week apart, under standing sedation via a novel HDRB technique. Eight horses with periorbital sarcoids were treated with HDRB under standing sedation. A complete response occurred in all cases. No significant acute adverse effects were noted after treatment and the cosmetic result was excellent, with permanent epilation and leucotrichia the only long‐term sequelae. Follow‐up was available for between 10 and 12 months after treatment. The major limitation of this study is the lack of long‐term follow‐up and the small case numbers. It was concluded that HDRB appears to be an effective and safe method of treating periorbital sarcoids in the horse. Long‐term follow‐up is required to determine the risk of recurrence of treated lesions.