EQUINE SARCOID - A PERSISTENT THERAPEUTIC CHALLENGE

Equine sarcoids are locally invasive, fibroblastic skin tumors that ar e often refractory to treatment. The tumors frequently recur. Lesions can occur anywhere on the body, and may be single or multiple. The mos t frequent sites for sarcoids are the legs, ventral trunk, and head (i n the areas of the eyes, pinnae, and lip commissures). Lesions often o ccur after trauma or at sites that are predisposed to trauma. Although a virus has been implicated in the development of the lesions, the ex act cause is unclear. Numerous treatment options are available. The mo st commonly used techniques are cryotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiot herapy. This article discusses the incidence, diagnosis, and current m anagement strategies for equine sarcoids.