Cutaneous lymphangiosarcoma in a young dog: clinical, anatomopathological and lectinhistochemical description

Pathologic and flow cytometric features of a case of canine ventral cervical lymphangiosarcoma

An 11-y-old spayed female German Shepherd was presented for a second opinion of ventral cervical swelling of 3-mo duration. On examination, the dog had significant dependent ventral cervical swelling. Enlarged lymph nodes with cystic changes and severe edematous facial swelling were noted on computed tomography. Fine-needle aspiration of the ventral cervical swelling revealed yellow-tinged fluid, with a predominance of lymphoid cells noted on cytologic examination. On cervical exploratory surgery, the left mandibular lymph node was surrounded by a large fluid pocket; biopsies of the lymph node were obtained. Impression smear cytology, flow cytometry, PCR for antigen receptor gene rearrangements, and histopathology were performed on samples from the left mandibular lymph node. Impression smear cytology revealed a population of atypical discrete cells. Flow cytometry identified a population of CD34+/CD45- large cells. A tumor of endothelial origin within the medulla of the lymph node was identified by histopathology, and lymphangiosarcoma was confirmed based on prospero-related homeobox gene 1 (PROX1) immunoreactivity. Our study describes the challenges in the diagnosis of a rarely reported entity and highlights that neoplastic endothelial cells should be considered as a differential when high proportions of CD34+/CD45- cells are present in flow cytometry.

Lymphangiosarcoma with systemic metastases in a Japanese domestic cat

A 4-year-2-month-old female Japanese domestic cat was diagnosed with lymphangiosarcoma through tissue biopsy of an amputated leg. Two months later, the cat was euthanized, and postmortem findings revealed edema, and bruising at the caudal region of the trunk, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary nodules and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Microscopically, neoplastic tissues were observed in the dermis and subcutis of the trunk, lung, mediastinal lymph nodes, diaphragm, omentum and mesentery. The tumor cells were spindle to polygonal-shaped with nuclear pleomorphism aligning along pre-existing collagen bundles and forming irregular vascular channels in which the erythrocytes were rarely observed. These cells were immunopositive for vimentin, von Willebrand factor and CD31. Based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical features, the neoplasia was diagnosed as lymphangiosarcoma with systemic metastases.

Intermediate filament proteins expression and carbohydrate moieties in trophoblast and decidual cells of mature cat placenta

The aim of this study was to characterize cytoskeletal intermediate filament proteins and glycoconjugates of syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast and decidual cells of feline endotheliochorial placenta. Samples from 12 normal pregnant female cats, after 45 ± 5 days of gestation, were obtained removing the uterine horns by hysterectomy. Sections were processed for routine observation and for immunohistochemistry using anticytokeratin, antivimentin and antidesmin antibodies. In addition, lectin histochemistry was performed using a panel of several biotinylated lectins to characterize glycosides expression profile. Cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast showed immunoreactivity only with acidic and basic cytokeratins. Decidual cells were only positive to vimentin, consistent with their origin from endometrial fibroblasts. Trophoblast expressed a broad population of glycans, highly exposing terminal N-acetyl glucosamine residues and non-sialylated galactose and N-acetyl galactosamine oligomers. Oligosaccharides bound by Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin were the only highly branched N-linked residues evidenced in cats, and they were restricted to the syncytium. Unlike results reported on humans, mice and rats on lectin affinity of decidual cells, sialid acids and complex N-linked oligosaccharides were not demonstrated in cats. Glycosylation of proteins determines many of their final properties, thus becoming essential for the embryo-maternal dialogue during implantation and placentation. Changes in glycosylation pattern have been related to pathological pregnancies in other species. Hence, the knowledge about glycosylation profile of the normal cat placenta may lead to a better understanding of both normal and pathological reproductive events.

Use of surgery and mitoxantrone chemotherapy in a dog with disseminated lymphangiosarcoma

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 5-year-old sexually intact male Giant Schnauzer was evaluated because of difficulty breathing and left pelvic limb swelling. Eighteen months previously, the patient had had intermittent left pelvic limb swelling, but the owner declined further testing at that time.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Physical examination revealed severe pitting edema of the left pelvic limb and prepuce and muffled heart sounds on thoracic auscultation. Results of thoracic radiography and thoracocentesis were consistent with chylothorax, and CT imaging of the thorax and abdomen revealed a mass involving the whole left sublumbar area.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

In an attempt to treat the chylothorax, pleural omentalization and pericardectomy were performed. Histologic evaluation of several biopsy specimens harvested in the abdominal and thoracic cavities revealed disseminated lymphangiosarcoma. The patient recovered well from surgery, and mitoxantrone chemotherapy was administered. As of 10 months after surgery, the dog was clinically normal except for mild pelvic limb edema.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The combination of clinical signs, multiple imaging features, surgical findings, and histologic examination findings enabled the final diagnosis of lymphangiosarcoma. Clinical management that included medical and surgical treatments and chemotherapy resulted in improved quality of life and extended survival time in a dog with metastatic lymphangiosarcoma.

A novel approach to treatment of lymphangiosarcoma in a boxer dog

A five-year-old female boxer presented with a swelling in the area of the caudal mammary gland. The mass was surgically excised and histopathological examination revealed a poorly demarcated lesion, extending into mammary tissue and infiltrating the sinuses of adjacent lymph nodes. The diagnosis was lymphangiosarcoma. Full blood work, thoracic radiographs, abdominal and scar ultrasound were unremarkable, apart from possible inflammatory reactions in the latter and reactive/metastatic changes in inguinal lymph nodes. Doxorubicin treatment resulted in a 6-month recurrence free interval. At relapse, the dog was treated with metronomic chemotherapy using chlorambucil and meloxicam, which failed to adequately control the disease. Toceranib phosphate was introduced and resulted in almost complete regression of the mass, leaving just a skin plaque. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report describing the use of two novel therapeutic approaches to treat canine lymphangiosarcoma that resulted in a higher than previously described survival time.