METASTATIC GRANULOSA CELL TUMOR IN A MANGROVE SNAKE (BOIGA DENDROPHILA MELANOTA)

A 12-year-old, female mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila melanota) was presented with a 1-month history of anorexia, lethargy, and progressive distention of the caudal coelomic cavity. Based on ultrasonographic and cytological examination, an ovarian neoplasia was considered to be the presumptive antemortem diagnosis. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a granulosa cell tumor (GCT) with metastatic tumors in the coelomic fat bodies. Four months following oophorectomy and surgical removal of the distant metastasis, the snake was euthanized because of sudden onset of lethargy, cardiomegaly, and dyspnea. Postmortem examination revealed the presence of metastatic tumors in the lung, liver, and kidneys. Primary ovarian neoplasms are relatively rare in reptiles. Although GCTs have been documented in snakes, definitive diagnosis is typically determined through postmortem histopathological examination. The present case describes a suitable antemortem diagnostic approach of a malignant GCT in a mangrove snake with distant metastases.     

Bilateral removal of the mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes through a single ventral midline incision for staging of head and neck cancers in dogs: a description of surgical technique

Currently, there is no standard protocol for removal of regional lymph nodes for the staging of head and neck cancers in dogs. Palpation and fine needle aspiration of mandibular lymph nodes are most commonly performed for staging of head and neck cancers. Although cytology is commonly performed for staging of head and neck, cancers histopathology is required for definitive lymph node staging. When regional lymph node biopsy is performed, mandibular lymph nodes are most commonly sampled due to their accessibility. The medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes may be the most relevant draining lymph node of the head and neck, but they are not routinely sampled due to their anatomic location medial to the salivary glands. The technique described here will allow for a standardized surgical approach for the efficient removal of both mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes for staging of head and neck tumours via a single ventral midline approach.     

Cutaneous metastasis of primary appendicular osteosarcoma in a dog

A 6-year-old, neutered male Rottweiler was presented to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital because of a lytic bone lesion involving the distal portion of the right radius and possible pulmonary metastases on thoracic radiographs. Results of serum biochemical analysis were unremarkable. Aspiration and cytologic examination of the bone lesion indicated likely sarcoma with reactive bone. Cutaneous masses were found on the left thigh, interscapular region, and dorsal lumbar region, 4 weeks after initial presentation. Neoplastic spindle cells were found in aspirates from 2 of the masses. The neoplastic cells stained positive for alkaline phosphatase activity using cytochemistry. Re-evaluation of serum biochemical values at this time revealed a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase activity (413 U/L, reference interval 12-110 U/L) compared with the initial value (26 U/L). Due to progressive disease, the dog was euthanized and a necropsy was performed. Histologic findings included primary osteosarcoma of the distal portion of the right radius, with metastases in the lungs, spleen, left fourth and fifth ribs, soft tissue of the right medial thigh, and T1-T3/interscapular region. Cutaneous metastasis of primary appendicular osteosarcoma has been reported rarely in animals and humans. Increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity may be a potential indicator of poor prognosis for this neoplasm.     

Presumed post‐traumatic ocular chondrosarcoma with intrathoracic metastases in a cat

An indoor‐only, 5‐year‐old, spayed female domestic shorthair cat presented for an ophthalmic examination of the left eye. An intraocular tumor with secondary glaucoma and blindness was diagnosed; the globe was enucleated and sent for histopathological examination. Gross examination revealed a solid white mass filling the entire vitreous space and replacing the iris and ciliary body. The lens and retina appeared to be similarly replaced by the neoplasm. Histological examination revealed a complete loss of the internal ocular structures, with a ruptured capsule as the only remnant of the lens within an extensive malignant mesenchymal neoplastic cell proliferation. The cells were polygonal, with well‐defined cytoplasmic borders and abundant weakly basophilic cytoplasm, embedded within the islands of chondroid matrix. No neoplastic invasion of the sclera was apparent. The animal died 6 months after the enucleation due to respiratory distress. Gross examination revealed numerous firm, white to tan nodular masses with smooth to mildly irregular surfaces dispersed throughout the parietal pleura, thoracic surface of the diaphragm, tracheobronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes, pericardium, and lungs. On cross‐section, the neoplastic nodules were solid and variably translucent, resembling hyaline cartilage. Histologically, these nodules were similar to the neoplasm identified earlier in the left globe. Metastasis of post‐traumatic ocular chondrosarcoma has not yet been described in cats. This is therefore believed to be the first report of metastases of this type of neoplasm in cats. This case adds to the limited set of data on the outcome of this type of tumor.     

Clinical features and their course of pituitary carcinoma with distant metastasis in a dog

An 11-year-old male toy poodle with neurological symptoms was diagnosed with a macroscopic pituitary tumor, which produced adrenocorticotropic hormone. Radiation therapy with a linear accelerator was performed for the pituitary tumor, and resulted in good local tumor control. However, serum endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations were uncontrollable even after the tumor disappeared. Abdominal computed tomography revealed splenic masses, and splenectomy was performed. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen showed tumor cells with eosinophilic and finely granular cytoplasm suggestive of endocrine origin. Since these cells were positive for adrenocorticotropic hormone, the case was diagnosed as a pituitary carcinoma with distant metastasis. Necropsy revealed multiple metastases to the abdominal organs. This is the first case report describing canine pituitary carcinoma with distant metastasis.     

犬眼结膜脉瘤（摘要）

对４０例小型、玩赏犬的眼结膜增生物（樱桃眼Ｃｈｅｒｒｙｅｙｅ）发生的部位、病因、症状、病理组织学和治疗方法进行了深入的观察和探讨，发现该病可以发生于犬的第三眼睑（瞬膜）也可发生于下眼睑结膜，该增生物是浆液性和粘液性的腺体增生组织，其组织结构和发生的特点符合良性单纯性腺瘤和特点，应予定名为大眼结膜腺瘤。该瘤可采取手术切除，效果好，但手术须注意钳夹止血，以减少术后出血。     

Extragenital transmissible venereal tumour associated with circulating neoplastic cells in an immunologically compromised dog

An adult male intact boxer was presented because of diffuse cutaneous nodules. Fine‐needle aspirate revealed transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) cells. Neoplastic cells were also observed in the peripheral blood. Associated simultaneous diseases included leishmaniosis, demodicosis, papillomatosis and coccidiosis. Immunosuppression may have aggravated disease and triggered widespread metastases. The dog was hospitalized and administered oral amoxicillin/clavulanate, subcutaneous meglumine antimonite to treat leishmaniosis and oral chlortetracycline to treat coccidiosis. Intravenous injection of vincristine at weekly interval was used to treat TVT. A rapid regression of cutaneous nodules was noted; however, intractable diarrhoea developed, eventually leading to death after 18 days. This is the first report describing an unusual case of extragenital TVT associated with circulating neoplastic cells in an immunosuppressed dog presenting with multiple cutaneous nodules.     

What is your diagnosis? Shoulder mass in a dog with lameness

Abstract: An adult castrated male Golden Retriever of unknown age was presented with a history of weight loss and progressive left thoracic limb lameness. On physical examination, a solid mass was palpated on the left scapula that had areas of lysis on radiographs and an area of cortical bone loss on ultrasound. Hepatomegaly, abdominal distension, and numerous intra‐abdominal soft tissue masses were also found. Fine‐needle aspirates of the scapula and several abdominal masses contained numerous free nuclei mixed with fewer individualized, intact cells that were round in shape and rarely formed small sheets. The cells had high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios, central nuclei, coarsely stippled chromatin, 1–2 prominent nucleoli, and basophilic cytoplasm with indistinct cell borders. The cytopathologic interpretation was neuroendocrine neoplasia, either metastatic or multicentric. The dog was subsequently euthanized and based on gross and histologic findings at necropsy, a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma with multiple metastases was made. The neoplastic cells stained positive with Grimelius stain and were immunoreactive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A. Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors in dogs and uncommonly undergo distant metastasis, especially to bone.     

Auranofin improves overall survival when combined with standard of care in a pilot study involving dogs with osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common paediatric primary bone malignancy. The major cause of death in osteosarcoma is drug‐resistant pulmonary metastasis. Previous studies have shown that thioredoxin reductase 2 is a driver of metastasis in osteosarcoma and can be inhibited by auranofin (AF). Moreover, studies have shown that AF significantly reduces pulmonary metastases in xenotransplant models. Here, we describe a phase I/II study of AF in canine osteosarcoma, a well‐recognized spontaneous model of human osteosarcoma. We performed a single‐arm multicentre pilot study of AF in combination with standard of care (SOC) (amputation + carboplatin). We recruited 40 dogs to the trial and used a historical SOC‐only control group (n = 26). Dogs >15 kg received 9 mg AF q3d PO and dogs <15 kg received 6 mg q3d. Follow‐up occurred over at least a 3‐year period. Auranofin plus SOC improved overall survival (OS) (P = .036) in all dogs treated. The improved outcome was attributable entirely to improved OS in male dogs (P = .009). At the time of writing, 10 dogs (25%) survive without measurable disease in the treatment group with survival times ranging between 806 and 1525 days. Our study shows that AF improves OS in male dogs when combined with SOC. Our findings have translational relevance for the management of canine and human osteosarcoma. Our data justify a larger multicentre phase 2 trial in dogs and a phase I/II trial in human patients with refractory disease at the time of initial surgery.