Caprine genital leiomyosarcoma

Benign mixed Müllerian (duct) vaginal tumor in a 12-y-old goat

In human and veterinary medicine, mixed Müllerian tumors (MMTs) are rarely diagnosed neoplasms of the tubular female genital tract. Although there are case reports of malignant MMTs in various species, benign MMTs have only been described once in a macaque. Here we present a case of benign MMT in a 12-y-old goat, and review the literature on uterine, cervical, and vaginal neoplasia in goats. The doe was presented with vaginal discharge and was euthanized because of the high suspicion of intraabdominal neoplasia. On gross examination, an ulcerated vaginal mass was identified. Histologically, 2 distinct cell populations were present: smooth muscle cells that were well differentiated and positive for alpha–smooth muscle actin, and ciliated columnar epithelial cells that lined ductal structures and had no signs of malignancy. These findings led to the diagnosis of neoplasia of Müllerian origin. Benign MMT should be considered as a differential diagnosis for uterine and vaginal neoplasms in goats.

Neoplasia of the tubular genital tract in 42 goats

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of tubular genital tract neoplasia in does evaluated at 2 veterinary teaching hospitals; describe the main clinical, surgical, and histopathologic or necropsy findings in affected does; and assess factors potentially associated with short-term prognosis in these animals.

ANIMALS

42 does.

PROCEDURES

Medical records of 2 veterinary teaching hospitals were searched to identify does with neoplasia of the tubular genital tract. Signalment; history; physical and diagnostic imaging results; biopsy, surgery, and necropsy findings; and short-term outcome were recorded. Age and breed frequencies for the sample were compared with those of the overall hospital population, and variables of interest were tested for associations with a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and with short-term outcome by statistical methods.

RESULTS

Median age at hospital admission (10 years) was greater for the study sample than for the general hospital population (2 years). Pygmy goats were overrepresented (22/42 [52%]). Common reasons for evaluation were bloody vaginal discharge or hematuria and abdominal straining. Adenocarcinoma (13/42 [31%]), leiomyoma (13 [31%]), and leiomyosarcoma (11 [26%]) were the most common tumors. Does with distant metastasis had greater odds of a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma (OR, 40.5) than does without distant metastasis. In the analysis adjusted for hemorrhagic discharge, odds of euthanasia for does with straining were 13 times those for does without straining. In the analysis adjusted for straining status, does with hemorrhagic discharge had almost 7 times the odds of euthanasia for does without this finding. The survival-to-discharge rate was low (13/42 [31%]).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The frequency of adenocarcinomas in the study sample was unexpectedly high. Further research is needed to confirm the study findings.

Tumors of the reproductive tract of sheep and goats: A review of the current literature and a report of vaginal fibroma in an Awassi ewe

Aims

This study aimed to provide a summary of all online available literature of published clinical and histopathological data regarding tumors affecting the reproductive tract of female sheep and goats. In addition, a detailed description of the clinical history, clinical findings, and gross and histopathological findings of one case of vaginal fibroma in an adult Awassi sheep is provided for the first time.

Materials and Methods

Internet search engines such as PubMed, ResearchGate, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were used to collect all published articles in refereed journals from 2000 to 2018 regarding tumors and tumor-like lesions involving the reproductive tract of ewes and does.

Results

There are six published papers in sheep and nine in goats reporting various malignant and non-malignant tumors involving different parts of the reproductive tract. The most commonly diagnosed tumors of the reproductive tract were leiomyoma (six cases), adenocarcinoma (six cases), leiomyosarcoma (three cases), adenoma (one case), squamous cell carcinoma (one case), and metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma (one case). The most common sites of tumor formation were the uterus (10 cases), vulva/vagina (five cases), ovaries (four cases), cervix (four cases), and Bartholin's gland (one case). All affected animals were aged females (older than 3 years of age). In both ewes and does, the most frequently reported clinical symptoms were chronic weight loss, pyometra, hydrometra, vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharges, straining, pollakisurie, ascites, and abdominal distension.

Conclusions

Tumors of the reproductive organs in sheep and goats are not uncommon and should be considered in the differential diagnoses in cases with poor reproductive function.

Tumor collision of uterine adenocarcinoma and leiomyosarcoma in a goat

An aged mixed-breed goat doe was presented with a 9-mo history of serosanguineous vaginal discharge. Vaginal speculum examination revealed serosanguineous discharge but otherwise no abnormalities. Transrectal ultrasonography showed normal ovaries and multifocal cystic lesions within the uterus. Ovariohysterectomy was recommended because of a strong suspicion of neoplasia. Multiple, non-resectable masses were noted in and around the uterus intraoperatively, and euthanasia was elected. Autopsy revealed multiple masses within the uterus, cervix, and lung parenchyma. Histologically, the masses within the uterus represented a likely collision tumor of primary adenocarcinoma and leiomyosarcoma. Our report highlights the importance of obtaining biopsy samples of all masses because the lesions described showed significantly different biological behavior. This information is vital to guide treatment and prognosis.

Vulvar Lipoleiomyoma in a Dog

A vulvar neoplasm from a 5-year-old female Siberian Husky dog was removed surgically and examined histologically. Macroscopically, the neoplasm was firm, white, and measured 6 × 4 × 3 cm. Microscopically, the neoplasm was expansile, nonencapsulated, and composed of lobules of mature adipocytes admixed with streams and bundles of well-differentiated smooth muscle cells. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells had strong diffuse cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for α-smooth muscle actin and desmin, and no immunoreactivity for cytokeratin or vimentin. On the basis of gross, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of lipoleiomyoma was made. This is, to the author's knowledge, the first report of canine vulvar lipoleiomyoma.

Vaginal leiomyosarcoma in a cow from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical findings associated with a vaginal leiomyosarcoma in a 12-year-old, Senepol breed of cow from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais are described. The animal had a large ulcerative neoplastic growth that originated between the base and the left-lateral vaginal wall. Histopathology revealed a tumor formed by muscle-like cells that demonstrated cellular pleomorphism, anisokaryosis, prominent and multiple nucleoli, with rare tumor giant cells. The neoplastic growth invaded adjacent adipose tissue, and contained areas of hemorrhage with discrete accumulations of inflammatory cells. By immunohistochemistry, most neoplastic cells expressed actin, while immunoreactivity to desmin was weakly expressed. These findings support a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma, and represent the first description of a bovine vaginal leiomyosarcoma from Brazil.

Addisonian Crisis due to Metastatic Adenocarcinoma in a Pygmy Goat

A 15-year-old Pygmy doe was evaluated for acute onset of lethargy, anorexia, and weakness. Adrenal insufficiency was diagnosed based on physical exam findings, blood work abnormalities (hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, azotemia, and hypoglycemia), and lack of cortisol response to the ACTH stimulation test. Abdominal ultrasound exam revealed an intact urinary tract and multiple bilateral peri-renal masses. The doe was treated with intravenous fluid therapy aimed at correcting the electrolyte abnormalities and intravenous corticosteroids. She responded favorably to medical therapy in 24 hours, with dramatic improvement in attitude and appetite. Fluid therapy was discontinued, and the doe was discharged from the hospital on steroid supplementation. She deteriorated rapidly and died at home 36 hours after discharge. Necropsy results revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma originating from the uterus that infiltrated the urinary bladder, the region of the adrenal glands, the left and right renal lymph nodes, the left kidney, the caudal vena cava, the submandibular lymph nodes, the diaphragm, the lungs, and the omentum. Addison’s syndrome in ruminants should be considered as an uncommon sequel of intra-abdominal neoplastic processes.

Congenital and acquired pathology of ovary and tubular genital organs in ewes: a review

Advances in our understanding of ovarian cyclicity, pathogenesis of subfertility and/or infertility and reproductive pathology in food animals have frequently entailed examination of abattoir material. Despite the fact that most lesions in ewes are likely to be of relatively minor significance to fertility, results of previous studies suggest that lesions of the female reproductive system may represent a significant source of loss to sheep husbandry. The objective of this paper is to review the pathophysiology, the effects on reproductive efficiency and the key gross and histological diagnostic features of congenital and acquired pathology of ovary and tubular genital organs in ewes.

Polypoid uterine leiomyosarcomas in a sheep

Leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed in the uterus surgically removed from a 3-year-old pet Suffolk ewe with a history of bleeding from the vulva, spontaneous lactation, and nursing behavior. The uterus contained multiple well-circumscribed, soft, intraluminal polypoid masses of variable sizes (0.5-4 cm). The masses were red, with white, smooth, and glistening cut surfaces. Histologically they comprised variably dense sheets of moderately pleomorphic, plump spindle cells embedded in richly vascularized stroma. The mitotic index was usually low (0-1/high-power field), but in some polyps there were up to 10 mitoses/high-power field. Neoplastic cells stained positive for alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) by immunohistochemistry. Ultrastructural features of neoplastic cells included the presence of basal lamina, scant microfilaments, contracted nuclei with blunt ends, and flat intercellular junctions. Uterine leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed based on cellular morphology and atypia and positive immunohistochemistry for alpha-SMA.

Spontaneous Uterine Leiomyosarcoma in a Golden Hamster (Mesocrietus auratus)

Uterine leiomyosarcoma occurring spontaneously in a domestic golden hamster was examined histologically and immunohistochemically. The histological findings for this tumour were similar to those for leiomyosarcomas described in other species. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated the positivity of neoplastic cells with alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin. From the results mentioned above, the tumour of this case was revealed to be of smooth muscle origin. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a uterine leiomyosarcoma in domestic golden hamsters.

First cases of animal diseases published in 2005

In 2003, Veterinary Quarterly started with the publication of a series of articles reviewing reports on "first cases" of animal diseases. Till now six articles have been published. They were arranged in order of animal species. Each article concerned only one species. Starting at this seventh publication, each article discusses "first cases" on more than one animal species. In this article 15 cases published in 2005 are discussed: one in birds, two in cats, three in cattle, four in dogs, two in goats, one in hares, and two in horses. Of each case a short introduction, the bibliographical data of the publication, the abstract of the author(s) (except one case) and some additional information (mainly) derived from the article are given.

Spontaneous proliferative lesions and tumors of the uterus of captive African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

Fifteen captive female African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), 3- to 5-yr-old, were diagnosed with proliferative uterine lesions (n = 28). Lesions were associated with vaginal bleeding in all cases, hematuria in 11 of 13 cases, and weight loss in 7 of 12 cases. Lesions were multiple in eight cases and single in seven cases. The lesions identified were 13 adenosarcomas, 7 endometrial stromal sarcomas, 6 endometrial polyps, 1 adenoleiomyosarcoma, and 1 adenoleiomyoma. In one animal with adenosarcoma, peritoneal seeding was detected at the time of hysterectomy. Mean survival time was 303 days (n = 10). Ovariohysterectomy allows prolonged survival of hedgehogs with uterine tumors.