Mammary tumors are the most common neoplasms in female dogs. Available data regarding the etiopathogenesis, the epidemiology and the biological behavior of this type of tumor are still incomplete and controversial. It is widely known that they are highly heterogeneous in morphology and that the lack of precise histopathological diagnostic criteria does not allow an adequate standardization of the diagnosis. Based on these considerations, and as a part of an international collaboration, we studied in details some aspects regarding the classification of these neoplasms. This allowed us to define precise criteria for the distinction between benign and malignant mammary tumors and to write a new classification for the hyperplastic/dysplastic and neoplastic lesions of canine mammary gland. The new classification is a modification of the internationally accepted WHO classification and incorporates some new morphological entities. These standardized criteria were applied on 2143 samples of canine mammary tissue. Other specific morphological characteristics were also evaluated. Relations between all the results obtained, and signalment, and follow-up data were investigated to improve the knowledge about the epidemiology and biological behavior of canine mammary tumors. We noticed that some dog breeds were less represented as carriers of malignant tumors and that in general the incidence of malignant tumor increased with age. In addition, we found that spayed animals, compared to intact ones, tend to have slightly different, apparently more aggressive, mammary tumors. For many tumors subtypes a specific biological behavior was recognized. Of particular interest was the immunohistochemical study of a new tumor subtype (carcinoma and malignant myoepithelioma) characterized by the presence of malignant myoepithelial cells. The prognostic value of different parameters such as tumor diameter, invasion of the lymphatic system, grade of malignancy, presence of peripheral infiltration and of a micropapillary pattern were discussed in details.
The Wnt signaling pathway and its key component β-catenin have critical roles in the development of diseases such as tumors in mammals. However, little has been reported about involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in canine mammary tumors (CMTs). The present study detected expression of 30 Wnt signaling pathway-related genes in CMTs; the results are potentially useful for molecular-based diagnosis of CMTs and the development of new targeted therapies. Significant upregulations of dickkopf-1 protein, secreted frizzled-related sequence protein 1 (SFRP1), frizzled 3, β-catenin, and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) were detected in highly malignant CMTs compared to levels in normal mammary gland tissues; moreover, highly significant upregulation of WNT5A was observed in low malignancy CMTs. Downregulation was only detected for SFRP4 in malignant CMT samples. The subcellular location of β-catenin and cyclin D1 in 100 CMT samples was investigated via immunohistochemical analysis, and significantly increased expressions of β-catenin in cytoplasm and cyclin D1 in nuclei were revealed. Western blotting analysis revealed that the expression of β-catenin and LEF1 increased in in the majority of CMT samples. Taken together, the results provide important evidence of the activation status of the Wnt pathway in CMTs and valuable clues to identifying biomarkers for molecular-based diagnosis of CMT.
Summary This case report describes the death of a yearling T horoughbred colt due to segmental severe necrotising tracheitis with stenosis of the tracheal lumen, 19 days after endotracheal intubation for elective endoscopic surgery. The stenosis of the trachea leading to asphyxiation was caused by an inflammatory process accompanied by massive accumulation of necrotic material, fibrinous inflammatory exudate, oedema and granulation tissue. The cause of this inflammation was likely to be a bacterial infection secondary to traumatic damage of the tracheal mucosa. Given the clinical history and location of the lesion, the endotracheal tube used for general anaesthesia was hypothesised to be responsible for this damage. Delayed tracheal necrosis as a fatal complication of endotracheal intubation has not previously been described in the horse and should be considered as a potential catastrophic consequence following relatively innocuous clinical signs.
A nine‐year‐old Italian Spinone dog presented with a history of urinary incontinence associated with polyuria/polydipsia (PUPD). Haematology and serum biochemistry identified hypercalcaemia. Subsequently, thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, urinalysis, serum assay of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH‐related protein concentrations and ultrasound of the parathyroid glands were consistent with a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. Unusually, however, all four parathyroid glands were noted to be enlarged on ultrasound, as opposed to a single parathyroid nodule (commonly an adenoma) as is normal in primary hyperparathyroidism. This presented a dilemma as to how best treat the dog; ultimately, two out of four parathyroid glands were removed. Postoperatively, normocalcaemia returned, and PUPD and incontinence resolved. Histopathological examination of the two removed glands was consistent with nodular hyperplasia of chief cells for one gland and nodular hyperplasia of chief cells and oxyphilic cells for the other gland, confirming a diagnosis of parathyroid hyperplasia.
Summary Cutaneous nodular disease in the horse is relatively rare and usually associated with arthropod bites, dermal hyperplasia and inflammatory or neoplastic infiltrates. Equine phaeohyphomycosis, particularly alternariosis, has been previously described in the literature and is usually associated with Alternaria alternata . In this article we report a case of phaeohyphomycosis caused by a member of Alternaria section Infectoriae in a horse. To our knowledge this is the first time that this organism has been identified in equids. Despite A. Infectoriae being commonly isolated in individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy and/or suffering from Cushing's syndrome, we could not determine a link between pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and fungal infection in this case. The mare responded well to surgical excision of the cutaneous lesions and made a full recovery.
Two cats with a marginally resected eyelid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour were treated with adjuvant strontium plesiotherapy a few weeks after surgery. The dose applied in both cases was 200 Gy to the surface, in five fractions, on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday basis. The treatment aimed to achieve a clinical margin of approximately 1 cm around the surgical scar and multiple application fields were required to cover such an area. Local recurrence was not seen in either case after 1330 and 645 days, respectively.The majority of periocular malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours reported in the literature recur after surgery. In the two cases described in this report the combination of surgery and adjuvant plesiotherapy has been able to provide good local control with minimal toxicity. This multimodal approach could be considered as an alternative to aggressive surgery such as enucleation or exenteration.
Dermoid sinus, a congenital malformation of neural tube development, has been reported in humans and several animal species including dogs. It is typically found in the dorsal midline and commonly occurs in the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed. A case of multiple dermoid sinuses in the fronto-occipital region is described. An 11-month-old, intact female Saint Bernard dog was presented with a 2 day history of discharge from a large irregular subcutaneous mass in the fronto-occipital region. The dog was otherwise healthy. The dog had two circular skin lesions (approximately 4 × 4 and 4 × 2 cm diameter) surrounded by multiple irregular elevated masses. The masses had multiple small openings on the skin surface with tufts of hair protruding from the apertures. The masses were surgically removed, and the diagnosis of multiple dermoid sinuses was confirmed by histological examination. Histopathological examination showed multiple, variably sized, spherical to tubular cysts expanding the dermis and subcutis. Cysts were filled with hair shafts and lamellar keratin and were lined by a stratified squamous epithelium. Sebaceous and apocrine gland adnexal structures were also observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of multiple dermoid sinuses of two different types in the head of a Saint Bernard dog.
Abstract A 10‐year‐old, female spayed Shih Tzu was presented due to weight loss, increased respiratory effort and lethargy, determined to be secondary to a congenital para‐esophageal diaphragmatic defect with partial herniation of the stomach and spleen. Four days following reduction surgery of the displaced abdominal organs thoracic effusion developed. Thoracic fluid evaluation revealed a cell‐rich, protein‐poor modified transudate with neutrophils, reactive mesothelial cells, and atypical epitheloid cells which occasionally appeared to be keratinizing, consistent with neoplastic exfoliation. Thoracic effusion recurred 2 days later, with similar characteristics as the initial sample. Computed tomography (CT) indicated consolidation and displacement of the right middle and accessory lung lobes. Exploratory thoracic surgery demonstrated a thickened, hyperemic right middle lung lobe, and thickened pericardial diaphragmatic ligament. Histologic evaluation of these tissues identified a primary pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma with intravascular and pleural invasion. Based on these cytologic, histologic, and clinical findings, we conclude that primary pulmonary carcinomas may involve superficial thoracic structures and exfoliate into a thoracic effusion.
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