Equine basal cell tumors: 6 Cases (1985-1999)

Basal cell tumors are rare benign tumors in horses. Over a 15-year period, 6 horses were diagnosed with basal cell tumors. The tumors were well-circum scribed, freely moveable, firm, raised papules, nodules, or masses that ran ged from 0.6 to 5 cm in diameter. Five of the 6 tumors were ulcerated. Base d on gross appearance, the tumors were diagnosed as sarcoids, and 1 was dia gnosed as a melanoma. The range of age of affected horses was 6-26 years. T he tumors were identified clinically 1 week to 3 years before excision. In 3 horses for which information was available, complete surgical excision wa s curative with no recurrence 4 months to 2 years after removal.