Primary hepatic neoplasms in cattle

Histological and immunohistochemical features of carcinomas with pulmonary involvement in cattle

Primary pulmonary neoplasms in cattle are rare. There are few studies on the pathological findings of these neoplasms in this species. This study aimed to describe the histological and immunohistochemical findings of primary and metastatic pulmonary carcinomas in cattle. We conducted a retrospective study of 19 cases of epithelial neoplasms with pulmonary involvement. Histologically, most of the neoplasms were classified as primary pulmonary neoplasms, including different adenocarcinoma subtypes (4/19, 21%) and adenosquamous carcinomas (3/19, 16%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (6/19, 32%), metastatic uterine adenocarcinoma (4/19, 21%), metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (1/19, 5%), and metastatic cholangiocarcinoma (1/19, 5%). By immunohistochemistry, all neoplasms were positive for pancytokeratin, and 4/19 (21%) were positive for vimentin. Primary pulmonary neoplasms had immunoreactivity for thyroid transcription factor-1 (6/7), while only 2 of these cases were positive for napsin A. All cases with squamous differentiation (9/9) had immunoreactivity for cytokeratin (CK) 5/6, while only 7 of these cases were positive for p40. CK20, CK7, and CK8/18 showed varied immunoreactivity in the primary and metastatic pulmonary carcinomas but were important markers to confirm the diagnosis of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma and metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. HepPar-1 was only positive in the metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. The limited number of cases of metastatic uterine adenocarcinomas in this study precluded identification of a specific immunophenotype for this tumor. Immunohistochemistry proved to be an important tool to confirm the proper classification of these neoplasms.

Neoplasms in Domestic Ruminants and Swine: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Due to the limited information and lack of studies on neoplasms in domestic ruminants, i.e., cattle, sheep, and goats, and domestic swine, the objective of the present study was to systematically review the scientific literature to verify the occurrence, type, organ system, and organs most affected by neoplasms in these animals.

METHODS

The recommendations of the PRISMA methodology were followed for the elaboration of this study. The research consisted of a systematic review of neoplasms in domestic cattle, sheep, goats, and swine.

RESULTS

The number of neoplasms found was 1873. The most affected organ system was the integumentary system with 35.0%, followed in descending order by the alimentary system with 16.90%, the hematopoietic system with 13.50%, the special senses (i.e., eyes and ears) with 10.51%, the female and male genital systems with 7.31%, the urinary system with 4.38%, the liver and biliary system with 3.152%, the endocrine glands with 3.91%, the respiratory system with 2.67%, the nervous system with 2.35%, bones and joints with 0.43%, muscles and tendons with 0.37%, the cardiovascular system with 0.21%, and the pancreas with 0.16%. Of the animals with neoplasms studied, cattle were affected in 69.80% of cases, goats in 10.52%, sheep in 10.46%, and swine in 9.18%. In all species, the most frequent neoplasms were squamous cell carcinomas in ruminants, while melanoma was the most frequent in swine. Few studies carried out in slaughterhouses were found, and the existing ones referred to cattle and swine. No data were found on economic losses with carcass condemnation.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the above, it is necessary to carry out extensive and detailed studies that provide knowledge about the impact of neoplasms on the production and condemnation of carcasses in domestic cattle, sheep, goats, and swine and the respective risk factors.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Free-Ranging Three-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

The increasing interest of tumors in wildlife is important for biodiversity conservation and for monitoring environmental agents and/or contaminants with potential impact on human health. Here we described the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in noncirrhotic liver of a free-ranging three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus) from the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil. The HCC showed a moderate mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate within the tumor tissue but with no inflammation and fibrosis in the adjacent liver tissue. Upon immunohistochemistry, neoplastic cells were diffusely positive for HepPar-1 and glutamine-synthetase presenting an irregular and random immunostaining pattern; β-catenin was positive in the cytoplasmic membrane of malignant hepatocytes; and cytokeratin 19 immunostaining was restricted to bile duct epithelial cells. The liver tissue was negative for HBV-like and HCV-like viruses assessed by molecular tests. The potential similarity of pathogenesis may reinforce the need for research on environmental and/or infectious agents associated with HCC that may contribute to the understanding of cancer in wildlife.

Metastatic cholangiocarcinoma mimicking tuberculosis in a cow

Here we describe a metastatic hepatic cholangiocarcinoma (cholangiocellular carcinoma) in a 14-y-old Beefmaster cow that was euthanized because of depression and progressive weight loss. Gross changes included coalescing, white-to-yellow, firm-to-hard nodules with central areas of necrosis and mineralization that effaced much of the hepatic parenchyma, omentum, mesentery, ruminal serosa, and diaphragm. A fresh sample of a hepatic nodule was submitted for a modified acid-fast (MAF) stain during autopsy to rule out tuberculosis. The MAF stain was inconclusive, and the sample was subsequently submitted for a PCR assay for Mycobacterium spp. Histologically, all nodules consisted of a neoplastic proliferation of epithelial cells surrounded by extensive areas of desmoplasia, consistent with a metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. PCR for Mycobacterium spp. was negative. Although the histologic diagnosis in our case was metastatic hepatic cholangiocarcinoma, gross changes were strikingly similar to those described in cases of tuberculosis, highlighting the need to remain vigilant in the identification of zoonotic and suspected foreign animal diseases during autopsy to protect human health.