A horse named Pea is first to test focused ultrasound treatment of skin tumors called sarcoids

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Published: 2026-09-23T17:47:30.971Z • Permanent link

Sophie Bogers, an assistant professor of large animal surgery at the University of California, Davis, has made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the treatment of skin tumors in horses. Her team has successfully tested a focused ultrasound treatment on a horse named Pea, who is suffering from sarcoids, a common and debilitating skin cancer in equine animals. The treatment, which uses high-frequency sound waves to heat and destroy cancer cells, has shown promising results in preliminary studies. Pea's owner, Dr. Elizabeth Brown, a renowned equine surgeon, had been exploring alternative treatments for her horse's condition, which had left Pea with significant scarring and limited mobility. The successful treatment of Pea's sarcoids marks a significant breakthrough in the field of equine medicine and has the potential to transform the treatment of this devastating disease.

Bogers' research was conducted in collaboration with a team of veterinarians and engineers from the University of California, Davis, and the University of California, Berkeley. The team used a custom-built device to deliver the focused ultrasound treatment to Pea's skin tumors, which were located on her neck and leg. The treatment was administered over several sessions, and the results were monitored closely by the research team. According to Bogers, the treatment was well-tolerated by Pea and showed significant reductions in tumor size and inflammation. While more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of the treatment, Bogers is optimistic about its potential to revolutionize the treatment of sarcoids in horses.

The research was conducted at the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which is one of the leading equine veterinary hospitals in the world. The hospital has a long history of innovative research and treatment, and Bogers' work is the latest example of the institution's commitment to advancing the field of equine medicine.

Bogers' research has significant implications for the equine industry, which is worth billions of dollars worldwide. Sarcoids are a major economic burden on horse owners, with estimates suggesting that the disease costs the industry millions of dollars in lost productivity and treatment costs each year. The development of an effective treatment for sarcoids could have a significant impact on the industry, allowing horse owners to keep their animals healthy and productive for longer. The treatment could also have spin-off benefits for humans, with Bogers' research potentially informing the development of new treatments for human skin cancer.

The successful treatment of Pea's sarcoids has also sparked interest in the research community, with many experts hailing it as a major breakthrough. The University of California, Davis, has already received significant media attention for the research, with many outlets covering the story. The university's equine medicine program is one of the most respected in the world, and Bogers' work is likely to attract further funding and support for the program.

The development of a focused ultrasound treatment for sarcoids is just one part of a larger trend in equine medicine. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need for more innovative and effective treatments for equine diseases. The equine industry has long been dominated by traditional treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy, but there is a growing interest in more modern and minimally invasive approaches. Bogers' research is part of this trend, and it has the potential to transform the treatment of sarcoids in horses.