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  Discussion on Chronic Cough Caused by Granular Cell Tumor in Left Mainstream Bronchus
Author Message
Member:
beebede1

Posted on Friday, Nov 26, 2010 - 8:48 pm:

Hi Dr. O.
I have an otherwise healthy horse with a coughing problem that began almost 18 months ago. This poor little mare has been examined by 5 or 6 vets, and been on many, many drugs with not much improvement. The last vet, at wits end, referred us to CSU to have an endoscopic exam while on a treadmill. Wednesday, my mare had an endoscopic exam and radiographs at CSU.
The exams confirmed the presence of a large tumor that starts at the lower trachea and extends into the left mainstream bronchus. The mass is so large that the vet says she has basically learned how to function using only her right lung. They attempted to do a pinch biopsy via the endoscope, but the tumor had such a tough capsule (consistent with granular cell tumors), they couldn't excise any tissue. If it is a granular cell tumor, they are typically benign and slow-growing. This would normally be good news, but unfortunately, the location of this tumor makes it life-threatening...
The attending vet had never seen a tumor like this (in a living horse), and we're waiting for him to consult with oncology specialists at CSU to see what our options are. He seemed to think that the only way to save her would be to do a risky surgery to remove her left lung. Otherwise, the tumor will grow up and over into her right brochus and slowly suffocate her.
Have you had any experience with this type of tumor? I'm hoping and praying that someone, somewhere, knows of a non-invasive way to reduce this tumor. I've done some research on using an Nd-Yag laser via an endoscope, but there's not much out there. This is a young, vibrant horse, and I'm willing to do whatever I can to help her.
My highest priority is maintaining her physical and emotional quality of life for as long as I can.

Thanks for listening!

Best Regards,
Donna
Member:
lilo

Posted on Friday, Nov 26, 2010 - 9:28 pm:

Donna - I just want to tell you how sorry I am about your horse having such a serious condition. I have no advice and no experience. The surgery does sound risky, but hopefully the vets at CSU have some suggestions for you. They were so helpful to us when we had a horse with cancer. Unfortunately, we did lose him.
All the best,
Lilo
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 27, 2010 - 8:43 am:

Hello Donna,
No I have not had any experience with such a tumor. I too pray they come up with a strategy for dealing with this. Please let us know what they say.
DrO
Member:
frances

Posted on Saturday, Nov 27, 2010 - 10:24 am:

So sorry to hear about your mare, Donna. I have no advice, but wish you both all the best at this distressing time.
Member:
dres

Posted on Saturday, Nov 27, 2010 - 2:29 pm:

Have no advice either and hope for a good outcome . please keep us posted... may i ask? how chronic was / is her cough ? only when exercised or ?

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
savage

Posted on Saturday, Nov 27, 2010 - 6:12 pm:

I read an article about Cola Cola being used to clear Bolus obstruction in humans.

Dr O, could this be something that might help in this situation by perhaps shrinking or softening this tumor so that it can be pieced out? or maybe even shrink enough to clear on it's own?

(Do NOT attempt this unless your vet or Dr has researched the viability of this process.)
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 - 9:38 am:

No Linda, I don't think it would be wise to pour CocaCola down the trachea.
DrO
Member:
rein

Posted on Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 - 10:36 am:

Hello Donna,
Where are you at? I am in Alberta Canada, my mare has a growth in her trachea (sp?). Certainly does not sound as awful as your mares. Anyway, when I had taken her to a few vets to see what we could do one was going to inject formaldehyde right into the growth. He says this would shrink the tumor. The other was going to laser it and that vet was in Okotoks, Alberta. I never did try either as I decided to wait until my mare really needed it. Luckly she has been all right to this day with as how slow it has grown. Certainly could not ride her with this, but has been a great mom a few times over. If you would be interested in trying to talk to either of these vets I could find their numbers??? All the best to you both.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 - 6:53 pm:

Michelle, you may be dealing with a sinus (ethmoid) hemangioma, where the treatments you outline have been recommended. I have not seen a recommendation for injecting formaldehyde into an intrathoracic tumor.
DrO
Member:
rein

Posted on Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 - 7:43 pm:

Perhaps, it was a few years back now and I really can not recall what it was called??? I just know it was in an area were it opened and closed, (looked kind of like a set of little lungs in there that open and close) The growth was there and stops it from doing that properly. This used to make her roar and you could hear her from a long ways away. I know prednisone did help her. But was sceptical to use while she was in foal.

Thanks Dr.O
Member:
beebede1

Posted on Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 - 9:21 pm:

Hi Lilo, Dr.O, LL, Ann, Linda, and Michelle,
I can't tell you how much your prayers, and warm thoughts mean to me! Even though I've never met any of you, I feel like I've got a circle of supportive friends - horse people are the best kind of folks!

I'm still researching and reading everything I can find about this type of tumor in humans and horses. I'm praying for the best possible outcome for my little mare. I'm also praying for the wisdom and the courage to know and do the right thing for her when the time comes.

I should be hearing from CSU tomorrow, and I promise to send an update. I also wanted to let everyone know that we got outstanding care at CSU. We were the only appointment on the day before Thanksgiving, and we had three senior vet students, two vets, an equine nurse, and the radiology team all working with us. They were both professional and compassionate.

Thanks again everyone!

Best Regards,
Donna
Member:
lilo

Posted on Monday, Nov 29, 2010 - 10:16 am:

Donna, Thinking of you and your little mare and hoping there is some help for you. Good luck, Lilo
Member:
savage

Posted on Monday, Nov 29, 2010 - 8:10 pm:

Donna, keeping my fingers and toes crossed that someone will find the perfect solution for your girl :-) Big hugs!
Member:
savage

Posted on Thursday, Dec 2, 2010 - 7:53 pm:

Hi Donna,I am still wishing a good outcome for your mare. Big Hugs to you!
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Thursday, Dec 2, 2010 - 8:04 pm:

Hoping for a good outcome for your mare, Donna.
Member:
jennbk12

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 21, 2018 - 4:37 pm:

Donna,

If you are still on here-- I would like to hear what happened as I am facing the same thing with my mare.
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