Equine Sarcoid

The aim of the present study was to carry out a mini review on equine sarcoid, addressing its clinical and pathological aspects and its diagnosis characteristics. The sarcoid is a benign, locally invasive tumor of the skin of horses that has a variable epidermal component. It is a biphasic neoplasm as it is derived from the proliferation of two components: dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes. It affects animals of all ages; however, it is more common in animals under 6 years old, having no racial or sexual predisposition. Sarcoids can develop anywhere on the body, but are most seen on the face, neck, axilla, ventral abdomen, paragenital region and distal extremity, around the eyelids and lips, foreskin, ear, as well as areas of previous injury or scarring. The diagnosis is based on the clinical history, epidemiology, macroscopic and histological characteristics of the lesions. Histologically, the sarcoid is characterized by a dense dermal proliferation of fibroblasts, forming nests and intertwined bundles and assuming various directions. Surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy and phytotherapy can be used to treat this disease.