ABSTRACT
A 6-year-old female nulliparous Dutch Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented in shock status with a history of abdominal distention, inappetance, lethargy, polydipsia, diarrhea and weight loss since 2 weeks ago. There was no breeding history. Radiographic survey showed increased soft tissue opacity dorsal to the urinary bladder and ventral to the colon on the lateral view consistent with uteromegaly and severe intestinal distention resembling intussusceptions. Conservative treatment was failed and the animal died. In necropsy, ileocecal intussusception was noted as the main death factor. Thickened uterine endometrium in both horns was observed and the uterus was filled with mucoid fluid. Both ovaries were multilobulated and distended. On the other hand, a small cyst sized 1.5 × 2.5 cm was diagnosed on the liver surface. Several samples were obtained from lesions for histopathological evaluation. Histopathologically, dilated cystic glands of variable size lined by densely packed epithelium and hyperplasia of the endometrium resulting in irregular folds or papillar projection into the lumen were evident and the sections of ovaries revealed ovarian luteoma that composed of polyhedral cells with pale stained vacuolated cytoplasm, centrally located nuclei with distinct cytoplasmic borders and the cytoplasm of cells contain lipid droplet. The occurrence of biliary cyst adenoma was confirmed by microscopic examination of the mass that composed of multicystic space in different sizes lined by flattened to cuboidal biliary epithelium with papillary projections. These cysts were seperated by variable amount of connective tissue. The lack of postmortem investigations in aged rabbits reduced the incidence of neoplastic disease diagnosis in this species. Whereas uterine adenecarcinoma and lymphosarcoma were commonly reported in rabbits, luteoma and biliary cyst adenoma that are well described in this case report were uncommon in rabbit medicine.
ABSTRACT
This report describes the clinical and pathological aspects of an apocrine sweat gland carcinoma with distant metastasis in an aged dog. A 7-year-old male terrier dog was referred to small animal hospital of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman with a 5.5×3.5 centimeter pedunculated mass on its head near left auricular region which had been progressively growing since three months ago. The radiography showed no local and distant metastasis. Surgical excision and histological evaluation was done. Histologically, the mass was composed of epithelial cells arranged in glandular and solid patterns. The morphologic findings suggested either a primary or metastatic apocrine-gland carcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were intensely positive for cytokeratin 7 and 20 and negative for S100 protein. On the basis of histopathological and clinical findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a malignant apocrine gland tumor, arising from apocrine sweat glands of the skin. Local tumor recurrence with anorexia and weight loss was reported by the owner nine month later. Severe submandibular and prescapular lymphadenomegaly was noted in clinical examination. Several large pulmonary nodules were noted in chest radiographs resembling mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Second surgery and chemotherapy was rejected by the owner due to grave prognosis of the patient. The animal was died 45 days later due to respiratory complications. Tumors of apocrine sweat glands are relatively uncommon in dogs whereas apocrine gland adenocarcinoma with distant metastasis is extremely rare.