Extensive cutaneous metastases in a dog with duodenal adenocarcinoma

Abstract: A 6-year-old Rottweiler was presented to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of multiple cutaneous nodules. The dog had a history of anorexia, vomiting, and hind-limb paraplegia. Results of cytologic examination of the cutaneous nodules were consistent with a round cell tumor. At necropsy, primary tumors were found coalescing in the duodenum and the pancreas and extending into the associated mesentery. Numerous masses also were found throughout the skin, abdominal and thoracic viscera, and lumbar spinal cord. Histologically, the duodenal tumor had variable morphology, with some areas resembling adenocarcinoma and others resembling anaplastic round cell neoplasia; the skin and other metastatic lesions resembled round cell neoplasia. Immunohistochemistry of the cutaneous, duodenal, and pancreatic masses showed the neoplastic cells were positive for pancytokeratin, supporting an epithelial origin. In addition, low numbers of neoplastic cells were positive for periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue, consistent with acid mucin production by duodenal epithelium. These findings confirmed that the cutaneous nodules were metastatic lesions originating from the duodenal adenocarcinoma. Cutaneous metastasis of intestinal carcinoma is rare in domestic animals. This case demonstrates the potential difficulty in diagnosing metastatic lesions based on cytologic and histologic morphology alone, because the cutaneous metastases may not resemble the primary neoplasm morphologically.     

Gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma with cutaneous metastases in a dog: diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration cytology

A 12-year-old, intact, male mixed-breed dog was presented with anorexia, vomiting and multiple cutaneous nodules on its neck, trunk and hindlimbs. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the nodules was characterised by a pleomorphic population of cells arranged singly or in small cohesive clusters, embedded in an amorphous mucinous material stained positive by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Acinar structures were occasionally found. Cells appeared either small with scant basophilic cytoplasm or large with a histiocytic appearance. Large cells had cytoplasm filled with a PAS-positive granular material. A presumptive diagnosis of cutaneous metastases of a mucinous adenocarcinoma was made. A primary, gastric, signet-ring mucinous adenocarcinoma was confirmed at postmortem examination and by histopathology. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma with cutaneous disseminated metastases in a dog.     

Prostatic adenocarcinoma with osseous metastases in a dog

Bone scintigraphy was used to diagnose osseous metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma in a 10-year-old dog with neck pain and ataxia and a large, sensitive prostate gland. Although radiography revealed a normal spine, prostatic fluid cytologic and ultrasonographic findings were compatible with prostatitis or neoplasia. Scintigraphic hot spots were seen in the axial skeleton, ribs, pelvis, humerus, and femur and corresponded to sites of metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma.     

Malignant seminoma with gross metastases in a dog

A 10-year-old male crossbred dog developed a non-painful unilateral testicular swelling; the other gonad was reduced in size. Both gonads were removed surgically; the larger contained a diffuse seminoma, the smaller atrophic testis contained an interstitial cell adenoma and several intratubular seminomas. Six months after being castrated the dog developed palpable intraabdominal masses. Necropsy revealed gross metastatic malignant seminoma in para-aortic lymph nodes. No histological features were identified to correlate with the malignant behaviour of this usually benign tumour.     

Malignant seminoma with systemic metastases in a dog

A three-year-old male crossbred dog was presented with multiple cutaneous nodules on the dorsum. Unilateral testicular enlargement ensued. Histopathological examination of testicular tissue and the skin lesions revealed a malignant seminoma. Despite the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy, the dog died three months later due to systemic metastases of the seminoma to the skin, scrotum, eyes, liver, kidney and peritoneum.     

Vertebral chondrosarcoma with extensive pulmonary metastases in a dog

The clinical, radiological and pathological features of a chondrosarcoma of the second thoracic vertebra with extensive pulmonary metastases in a dog are presented.
Résumé. On présente les particularités cliniques, radiologiques et pathologiques d'un cas de chondrosarcome de la deuxième vertèbre thoracique, accompagné de métastases pulmonaires intenses. rencontré chez un chien.
Zusammenfassung. Die klinischen, radiologischen und pathologischen Merkmale eines Chondrosarkoms des zweiten Brustwirbels mit ausgedehnten Lungenmetastasen bci einern Hund werden beschrieben.     

Myasthenia gravis associated with cutaneous lymphoma in a dog

A middle-aged golden retriever presenting with exercise intolerance and multifocal cutaneous nodules was diagnosed as having non-epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma with concurrent myasthenia gravis. Treatment with corticosteroids induced short-term remission of the lymphoma and alleviation of myasthenic signs.     

Multiple cutaneous ganglioneuromas in a dog

A 3-year-old male Labrador retriever dog was presented with multifocal small cutaneous nodules, distributed mainly over the thoracic wall, the flank and the scrotum. The dog was otherwise in good health and had no significant past medical history. Radio- and sonographic examination revealed no evidence of internal tumours, including endocrine tumours. Histological examination of two excised samples revealed round, non-ulcerated nodules in the superficial corium, characterized by two different neoplastic cell components and mild inflammation. The first tumour cell population showed histomorphological characteristics of mature ganglion cells; the second featured small, spindle-shaped tumour cells with scant cytoplasm. Both neoplastic cell components expressed vimentin, neurofilament protein, pan-neuronal neurofilament, amyloid-precursor protein and chromogranin A. In addition, the spindle-shaped tumour cells were positive for 2', 3'-cyclicnucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase. The findings had many histological and immunohistochemical features in common with primary cutaneous ganglioneuromas in humans, enabling the canine tumours to be also classified as multiple cutaneous ganglioneuromas.     

Nasal tumor with widespread cutaneous metastases in a Golden Retriever

An intact, 8-year-old, male Golden Retriever dog was presented for evaluation of a nasal mass and approximately 30 firm, raised, variably ulcerated dermal and subcutaneous masses. Histopathology of both nasal and multiple skin masses revealed multiple nonencapsulated, infiltrative masses comprising clusters, anastomosing trabeculae, and packets of neoplastic, round to ovoid, hyperchromatic cells with marked nuclear molding. Surrounding the neoplastic cells was a marked stromal response in which many of the spindle-shaped cells expressed muscle-specific actin and had ultrastructural features consistent with myofibroblasts. A literature search indicates that this is the first report in a peer-reviewed journal of cutaneous metastasis of a nasal neuroendocrine tumor in any domestic animal species.     

Treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with dacarbazine in a dog

Abstract Epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in a Lhasa Apso dog treated with dacarbazine is reported. Clinical disease consisted of a 4 × 4-cm ulcerated mass over the mandibular symphysis and bilateral lymphadenopathy of the submandibular lymph nodes. Skin biopsy sections were díagnostic for epitheliotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and immunohistochemistry staining for the CD3 antigen was positive. Tissue samples were submitted for chemosensitivity testing and dacarbazine was shown to be 60% effective. Treatment with dacarbazine resulted in total clinical remission. The dog remains disease free 1 year after treatment. Résumé— Les auteurs décrivent un cas de lymphome cutané T épithéliotrope chez un Lhassa Apso traitéà la dacarbazine. Le tableau clinique était caractérisé par la présence d'une masse ulcérée de 4 × 4 cm sur la symphyse mandibulaire et par une adénopathie bilatérale des ganglions sous mandibulaires. Les biopsies posèrent le díagnostic de lymphome cutané T et l'immunomarquage fut positif pour l'antigène CD3. Des prélèvements tissulaires fürent soumis à des tests de chimiosensibilité et la dacarbazine se révéla efficace à 60%. Le traitement à la dacarbazine entraina une rémission clinique totale. Le chien ne présente pas de récidive un an après le traitement. [Lemarié, S. L., Eddlestone, S. M. Treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with dacarbazine in a dog. (Traitement d'un lymphome cutané T à la dacarbazine chez un chien.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 41–46.] Resumen Se describe el tratamiento con dacarbazina de un linfoma cutáneo epiteliotrópico de células T en un Lasha Apso. La presentación clinica consistia en una masa ulcerada de 4 × 4 cm por encima de la sinfisis mandibular y linfadenopatia bilateral de los ganglios linfáticos submandibulares. El estudio histológico cutáneo permitió un díagnóstico de linfoma cutáneo epiteliotrópico de celulas T, con positividad inmunohistoquimica al antigeno CD3. Se remitieron muestras tisulares para pruebas de quimiosensibilidad, en las que la dacarbazina mostró una efectividad del 60%. El tratamiento con dacarbazina llevó a una remisión clinica total. El perro sigue sano un año después del tratamiento. [Lemarié, S. L., Eddlestone, S. M. Treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with dacarbazine in a dog. (Tratamiento del linfoma cutáneo de celulas T con dacarbazina en un perro.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 41–46.] Zusammenfassung— Es wird über eine epitheliotropes kutanes T-Zell-Lymphom bei einem Lhasa Apso berichtet, das mit Dacarbazin behandelt wurde. Die klinische Erkrankung bestand in einer 4 × 4 cm großen ulzerierten Masse über der Symphyse der Mandibula sowie einer bilateralen Lymphadenopathie der submandibulären Lymphknoten. Die Hautbiopsien ergaben die Diagnose epitheliotropes kutanes T-Zell-Lymphom, die immunohistochemische Färbung auf CD3-Antigen fiel positiv aus. Die Gewebsproben wurden einer Chemosensitivitätsprobe unterzogen und Dacarbazin erwies sich zu 60% wirksam. Die Behandlung mit Dacarbazin führte zu einer vollständigen klinischen Remission. Der Hund blieb frei von Krankheitssymptomen seit einem Jahr nach der Behandlung. [Lemarié, S. L., Eddlestone, S. M. Treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with dacarbazine in a dog. (Die Behandlung eines kutanen T-Zell-Lymphom mit Dacarbazin bei einem Hund.) Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 41–46.]     

Immunoglobulin A multiple myeloma with cutaneous involvement in a dog

An 8-year-old rottweiler, diagnosed with multiple myeloma and multiple sites of cutaneous involvement, was treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The diagnostic criteria for canine multiple myeloma, limitations of diagnostic testing for light chain proteinuria in dogs, and the role of radiation therapy in multiple myeloma patients is discussed.     

Lokivetmab improved pruritus in a dog with cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma

A 13-year-old spayed female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presented with chronic swelling and pruritus on the palmar aspect of the left forepaw and on the tail. Cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma (CEL) was diagnosed by histopathology and immunocytochemistry. Prednisolone was initially used alone as an alternative treatment for CEL. Despite long-term corticosteroid therapy, the patient’s physiological (pruritus) and dermatological signs (alopecia, erythema, erosion, and ulceration with crust) progressed and showed no evidence of improvement. To address the worsening condition of pruritus, lokivetmab was started in combination with prednisolone. Once on lokivetmab, the pruritus steadily improved and was effective in resolving and maintaining remission. Further investigation on the critical role of IL-31 in the pruritus pathway of dogs with CEL is required.     

Anaplastic atypical myeloma with extensive cutaneous involvement in a dog

A 7-year-old, male, mixed breed dog was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Kitasato University because of anorexia, lameness and multiple cutaneous lesions. Observation of bone marrow plasmacytosis, osteolytic bone lesions, serum myeloma protein and cutaneous infiltration of myeloma cells led us to a diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM) with cutaneous involvement. Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis for the rearranged genes of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor demonstrated that the neoplastic cells found in skin lesions or bone marrow are of B-lymphocyte lineage and share a common original precursor cell. The dog was treated with UW-Madison protocol or melphalan/prednisone protocol and survived 175 days. This is rare case of anaplastic MM with cutaneous involvement in dog.