Equine sarcoids, part 2: current treatment modalities

Treatment of sarcoids is often challenging, due to the variable clinical presentation of lesions and the frequent local recurrences. In this article, both the surgical and the non-surgical treatment of equine sarcoids are reviewed. It is generally accepted that the prognosis is worse if unsuccessful attempts have been made previously. Therefore, the best available treatment option should always be used at the first attempt of treatment. Different surgical approaches have been reported, including conventional excision, cryosurgery and CO2 laser surgery. Success rates are high if a non-touch approach, wide surgical margins and general anesthesia can be applied. Local chemotherapy is a valuable addition in the treatment of sarcoids and can be combined with surgery. Radiotherapy is a very successful treatment, but safety precautions prevent routine application. Local immunotherapy including Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination and imiquimod cream are commonly applied treatments which induce rather effective tumour regression.