Spotlight on Feline Oncology

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Biomedical Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2022) | Viewed by 37880

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
Interests: oncology; cancer; metastasis; cancer genetics; cancer genomics; comparative oncology; comparative genomics; animal models of cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is estimated that approximately 1 in 5 cats will develop cancer as they age, and cancer is the leading cause of death in older cats. In addition, when cats develop tumours they are much more likely to be malignant/aggressive and thus are often associated with a poorer outcome. However, there is a disproportionately lower amount of research into feline versus canine oncology, and in contrast to dogs, cats are not as commonly thought of as model for human cancer. In order to address this imbalance, this Special Issue of Veterinary Sciences is dedicated to all investigations into understanding feline oncology.

Some suggested topics include investigations into the underlying aetiology, biology, or genetics of feline tumours, improvements in diagnostic tools, identification of biomarkers or prognostic indicators, evaluation of novel treatments, assessment of tumour frequency/incidence, or case reports of novel tumour types/clinical presentations (in both domestic and wild felids).

We hope you will contribute an article to this Special Issue.

Dr. Louise van der Weyden
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • cat
  • feline
  • felid
  • tumour
  • cancer
  • oncology
  • genetics
  • pathology
  • diagnosis
  • biomarker
  • prognosis
  • treatment
  • incidence
  • presentation

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 198 KiB  
Editorial
Spotlight on Feline Oncology
by Louise van der Weyden
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(4), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10040246 - 24 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1487
Abstract
Cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in felines, with the majority of tumours (53–85% cases) being diagnosed as malignant [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)

Research

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10 pages, 3125 KiB  
Article
Patterns of Lymphocytic Infiltrates Can Differentiate Feline Hepatic Lymphoma from Lymphocytic Portal Hepatitis
by Kimberley Sebastian, Rebecca C. Smedley, Alexander Bartel and Matti Kiupel
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10020127 - 7 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2566
Abstract
Hepatic lymphoma is poorly characterized in cats and differentiating between inflammation and lymphomas is often difficult. The diagnosis of hepatic lymphoma in humans relies on recognition of specific patterns of lymphocytic infiltrates and clonality testing of antigen receptors. Herein, we defined similar patterns [...] Read more.
Hepatic lymphoma is poorly characterized in cats and differentiating between inflammation and lymphomas is often difficult. The diagnosis of hepatic lymphoma in humans relies on recognition of specific patterns of lymphocytic infiltrates and clonality testing of antigen receptors. Herein, we defined similar patterns of lymphocytic infiltrates in hepatic biopsies of cats and correlated them with clonality to determine which patterns are predictive of lymphoma. A retrospective study was performed on surgical biopsies from 44 cats. The immunophenotype was characterized using CD3 and CD20 on all 44 samples. All 44 samples were tested using PCR for T-cell receptor gamma-gene rearrangements. PCR for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements was performed on 24 of these cats. Four patterns of lymphocytic infiltrates were characterized: (1) tightly periportal, (2) periportal and centrilobular, (3) nodular, and (4) periportal with sinusoidal extension. Other histomorphologic features (fibrosis, biliary hyperplasia, bile ductopenia, bile duct targeting, hepatic hematopoiesis, lipogranulomas, lymphonodular aggregates, other inflammatory cells) were also evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity of the lymphocytic patterns to diagnose lymphomas were determined using Bayesian Hui–Walter analysis (BLCM) against clonality results. Lymphocytic patterns 2, 3, and 4 accurately diagnosed hepatic lymphomas with a sensitivity and specificity of 82% (CI 95%: 0.65, 0.96) and 77% (CI 95%: 0.54, 1.00), respectively. None of the other microscopic features evaluated were predictive of a lymphoma or inflammation. Our study identified specific patterns of lymphocytic infiltration that differentiate feline hepatic lymphoma from inflammation while other histologic features were not associated with an accurate diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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23 pages, 5760 KiB  
Article
Pathological Findings in Gastrointestinal Neoplasms and Polyps in 860 Cats and a Pilot Study on miRNA Analyses
by Alexandra Kehl, Katrin Törner, Annemarie Jordan, Mareike Lorenz, Ulrike Schwittlick, David Conrad, Katja Steiger, Benjamin Schusser and Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(9), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9090477 - 3 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5214
Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal masses in cats are of clinical relevance, but pathological studies with larger case numbers are lacking. Biomarkers such as miRNA have not yet been investigated in feline intestinal neoplasms. Methods: A retrospective analysis of pathology reports included 860 feline gastrointestinal masses. [...] Read more.
Background: Gastrointestinal masses in cats are of clinical relevance, but pathological studies with larger case numbers are lacking. Biomarkers such as miRNA have not yet been investigated in feline intestinal neoplasms. Methods: A retrospective analysis of pathology reports included 860 feline gastrointestinal masses. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 91 lymphomas, 10 sarcomas and 7 mast cell tumours (MCT). Analyses of miRNA-20b and miRNA-192 were performed on 11 lymphomas, 5 carcinomas and 5 control tissues by ddPCR. Results: The pathological diagnosis identified 679 lymphomas, 122 carcinomas, 28 sarcomas, 23 polyps, 7 MCT and 1 leiomyoma. Carcinomas and polyps were most commonly found in the large intestine, lymphomas were most commonly found in the stomach and small intestine and MCT only occurred in the small intestine. Besides the well-described small-cell, mitotic count <2 T-cell lymphomas and the large-cell B-cell lymphomas with a high mitotic count, several variants of lymphomas were identified. The values of miRNA-20b were found to be up-regulated in samples of all types of cancer, whereas miRNA-192 was only up-regulated in carcinomas and B-cell lymphomas. Conclusions: The histopathological and immunohistochemical (sub-)classification of feline intestinal masses confirmed the occurrence of different tumour types, with lymphoma being the most frequent neoplasm. Novel biomarkers such as miRNA-20b and miRNA-192 might have diagnostic potential in feline intestinal neoplasms and should be further investigated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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17 pages, 4550 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Expression of Angiogenic Factors in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Domestic Cats
by Erwin Kristobal Gudenschwager-Basso, Valentina Stevenson, Dan Phillip Sponenberg, Thomas E. Cecere and William R. Huckle
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(7), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9070375 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2613
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a common malignant skin cancer with a significant impact on health, and it is important to determine the degree of reliance of CSCC on angiogenesis for growth and metastasis. Major regulators of angiogenesis are the vascular endothelial [...] Read more.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a common malignant skin cancer with a significant impact on health, and it is important to determine the degree of reliance of CSCC on angiogenesis for growth and metastasis. Major regulators of angiogenesis are the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and their associated receptors. Alternative pre-mRNA splicing produces multiple isoforms of VEGF-A and PLGF with distinct biological properties. Several studies highlight the function of VEGF-A in CSCC, but there are no studies of the different isoforms of VEGF-A and PLGF for this neoplasm. We characterized the expression of three isoforms of VEGF-A, two isoforms of PLGF, and their receptors in cat CSCC biopsies compared to normal haired skin (NHS). Although our results revealed no significant changes in transcript levels of panVEGF-A or their isoforms, the mRNA levels of PLGF I and the receptors Flt-1 and KDR were downregulated in CSCC compared to NHS. Differences were observed in ligand:receptor mRNA expression ratio, with the expression of VEGF-A relative to its receptor KDR higher in CSCC, which is consistent with our hypothesis and prior human SCC studies. Immunolocalization in tissue showed increased expression of all measured factors and receptors in tumor cells compared to NHS and surrounding vasculature. We conclude that the factors measured may play a pivotal role in CSCC growth, although further studies are needed to clarify the role of angiogenic factors in feline CSCC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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Review

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13 pages, 486 KiB  
Review
Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Critical Review of Etiologic Factors
by Inês Sequeira, Maria dos Anjos Pires, José Leitão, Joaquim Henriques, Carlos Viegas and João Requicha
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(10), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9100558 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3973
Abstract
Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC) is the most common oral neoplasia in cats. This malignant tumor is locally invasive, has a high mortality rate, and its etiology is not yet known. In humans, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is associated with [...] Read more.
Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC) is the most common oral neoplasia in cats. This malignant tumor is locally invasive, has a high mortality rate, and its etiology is not yet known. In humans, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is associated with tobacco smoke, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus infection. Herein, a critical review about the potential etiologic factors of FOSCC was performed, considering publications between 2000 and 2022, aiming to synthesize all available scientific evidence regarding this issue. Recommendations of the PRISMA statement and the Cochrane Collaboration were followed and the PubMed database searched by using the MeSH terms MeSH terms “oral”, “mouth”, “lingual”, “labial”, “gingiva”, “carcinoma”, “squamous”, and “feline”. The selection process for eligible studies was based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and the quality of the studies assessed. The initial search resulted in 553 publications, with only 26 of these being included in the review. Sixteen studies were related to viral etiology and nine related to environmental factors such as exposure to tobacco smoke, ectoparasitic products, and the presence of oral comorbidities. When evaluated, feline papillomavirus was detected in 16.2% of samples of FOSCC. In the three studies focused on exposure to tobacco smoke, 35.2% (30/85) of cats with FOSCC had a history of this exposure. The consumption of canned food and the use of deworming collars were associated, in only one publication, with a risk of neoplasia increased by 4.7 and 5.3 times, respectively. Among 485 cats with FOSCC, 6.4% had dental and oral pathology (i.e., periodontal disease or feline chronic gingivostomatitis). The present study demonstrates that the available evidence on the etiology of FOSCC is still limited, however, there has been an increasing interest on this topic. To better understand the role of the possible etiological factors of this aggressive disease, and model for its human counterpart, large, prospective multi-institutional studies are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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18 pages, 2973 KiB  
Review
Feline Oncogenomics: What Do We Know about the Genetics of Cancer in Domestic Cats?
by Latasha Ludwig, Melanie Dobromylskyj, Geoffrey A. Wood and Louise van der Weyden
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(10), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9100547 - 4 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3676
Abstract
Cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in domestic cats. In humans, an understanding of the oncogenome of different cancer types has proven critical and is deeply interwoven into all aspects of patient care, including diagnostics, prognostics and treatments through the [...] Read more.
Cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in domestic cats. In humans, an understanding of the oncogenome of different cancer types has proven critical and is deeply interwoven into all aspects of patient care, including diagnostics, prognostics and treatments through the application of targeted therapies. Investigations into understanding the genetics of feline cancers started with cytogenetics and was then expanded to studies at a gene-specific level, looking for mutations and expression level changes of genes that are commonly mutated in human cancers. Methylation studies have also been performed and together with a recently generated high-quality reference genome for cats, next-generation sequencing studies are starting to deliver results. This review summarises what is currently known of the genetics of both common and rare cancer types in cats, including lymphomas, mammary tumours, squamous cell carcinomas, soft tissue tumours, mast cell tumours, haemangiosarcomas, pulmonary carcinomas, pancreatic carcinomas and osteosarcomas. Shining a spotlight on our current understanding of the feline oncogenome will hopefully serve as a springboard for more much-needed research into the genetics of cancer in domestic cats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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22 pages, 1091 KiB  
Review
Infectious Causes of Neoplasia in the Domestic Cat
by Kerry E. Rolph and Ryan P. Cavanaugh
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(9), 467; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9090467 - 30 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3374
Abstract
In recent years, growing attention has been paid to the influence/role of infectious diseases in tumour development and progression. Investigations have demonstrated that some infectious organisms can have a direct role in the development of neoplasia, whereas others can predispose to neoplasia by [...] Read more.
In recent years, growing attention has been paid to the influence/role of infectious diseases in tumour development and progression. Investigations have demonstrated that some infectious organisms can have a direct role in the development of neoplasia, whereas others can predispose to neoplasia by alterations in the immune response, or by creating a pro-inflammatory environment. Feline leukaemia virus was one of the first infectious agents recognised as an oncogenic organism, and along with feline immunodeficiency virus has received the most attention. Since the discovery of this retrovirus, several other organisms have been associated with neoplastic processes in cats, these include gammaherpes virus, mouse mammary tumour virus, papillomaviruses, hepadnavirus, Helicobacter species, and the parasitic infections Platynosomum fastosum and Opisthorchis viverrini. This review summarises the findings to date. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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Other

6 pages, 929 KiB  
Case Report
Hemorrhage and Sudden Death in a Cat with Pancreatic Hemangiosarcoma
by Corina Toma, Roxana Popa, Mara-Georgiana Haralambie, Oana-Roxana Haralambie and Raluca Marica
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10010008 - 24 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1950
Abstract
A 15-year-old female, indoor, spayed, domestic shorthair cat was presented for post-mortem evaluation with a history of sudden death. A red-brown 3 cm x 4 cm neoplastic mass was identified within the body of the pancreas, along with multiple similar nodular structures within [...] Read more.
A 15-year-old female, indoor, spayed, domestic shorthair cat was presented for post-mortem evaluation with a history of sudden death. A red-brown 3 cm x 4 cm neoplastic mass was identified within the body of the pancreas, along with multiple similar nodular structures within the omentum and liver. Associated lesions included hemoperitoneum, yellow discoloration of the peritoneal wall, and severe anemia. Spindle-shaped neoplastic cells exhibiting malignancy features, which occasionally contained within the cytoplasm haematoidin crystals and/or red blood cells, were observed during cytological examination. Histologically, the neoplastic cells were organized in short streams forming vascular spaces filled with erythrocytes. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were immunolabeled for vimentin and CD31, supporting the diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. This report offers a complete post-mortem and histological evaluation of a rare tumor in cats with an unusual location and a comparative assessment of 3 anti-CD31 antibodies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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7 pages, 3031 KiB  
Case Report
Primary Ovarian Leiomyoma in a White Tiger (Panthera tigris)
by Carmelo Iaria, Antonio Ieni, Luca Cicero, Giovanni Briguglio, Salvatore Di Maria and Jessica Maria Abbate
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(12), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9120702 - 17 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1953
Abstract
Ovarian leiomyomas are very rare in domestic cats and occasionally mentioned in studies reporting general pathological findings and neoplasm occurrence in non-domestic large felids. This report describes a case of ovarian leiomyoma in a 22-year-old white tiger (Panthera tiger), treated with [...] Read more.
Ovarian leiomyomas are very rare in domestic cats and occasionally mentioned in studies reporting general pathological findings and neoplasm occurrence in non-domestic large felids. This report describes a case of ovarian leiomyoma in a 22-year-old white tiger (Panthera tiger), treated with deslorelin implants, detailing pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Gross examination revealed a markedly enlarged, firm, whitish right ovary with a multinodular appearance. On a cut surface, multiple brown-fluid-filled cysts interspersed with solid grey-to-white areas were observed. On histopathological examination, the ovary was enlarged and replaced by a densely cellular neoplasm composed of spindle cells arranged in fascicles, or occasionally in a herringbone pattern, embedded in a large stroma of collagenous connective tissue. Neoplastic cells showed mild nuclear atypia and pleomorphism and low mitotic rate. Immunohistochemistry confirmed smooth muscle origin of the neoplasm, and cells were positive for vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin, and caldesmon. A low rate (<1%) of Ki-67-positive cells was observed. Although rare, ovarian leiomyoma should be considered when a mass is present in the ovary of a tiger with reproductive failure. Because cancer of the reproductive system impacts on species conservation by affecting reproduction, regular health monitoring is warranted to support wildlife conservation. Finally, the adverse effects associated with long-term treatment with synthetic GnRH analogues as contraceptives in non-domestic felids are worthy of future investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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8 pages, 3682 KiB  
Case Report
Skin Photodamage Lesions in a Bilateral Feline Auricular Primary Fibrosarcoma
by Francesca Parisi, Francesca Abramo, Marco Maimone, Alessandro Poli and Francesca Millanta
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(10), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9100548 - 5 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1575
Abstract
As with human species, recent studies also suggest a photoinduced etiopathology for non-epithelial cutaneous tumors in feline species. We report a recent case of a ten-year-old male cat with a white-hair coat and mesenchymal neoplasms of both auricles. Cytology, complete blood count (CBC), [...] Read more.
As with human species, recent studies also suggest a photoinduced etiopathology for non-epithelial cutaneous tumors in feline species. We report a recent case of a ten-year-old male cat with a white-hair coat and mesenchymal neoplasms of both auricles. Cytology, complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry and imaging examinations were performed. After surgery, the samples underwent routinary histopathology and were additionally stained with orcein. A routine analysis yielded values within a normal range and the imaging examination showed no abnormalities, suggesting that the bilateral presentation of neoplasms was primary rather than metastatic. The cytology was inconclusive, but, through histopathology, two well-differentiated fibrosarcomas were diagnosed and histopathological changes related to chronic UV exposure (such as epidermal hyperplasia, stratification disorders, keratinocyte dysplasia and an accumulation of elastotic material) were documented in the skin adjacent to the lesions. An orcein stain succeeded in highlighting elastosis. The elastic fibers lost their regular structure and orientation and appeared to be fragmented, wavy to branched and knotted. A morphometric analysis showed that the amount of elastotic material in the dermis close to the tumors was more than double compared with the more distant areas. Elastosis is considered to be a hallmark of photodamage; thus, an involvement of UV rays in the carcinogenic process of the tumors may be suspected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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12 pages, 7417 KiB  
Case Report
Nasal Lymphoma with Low Mitotic Index in Three Cats Treated with Chlorambucil and Prednisolone
by Karen W. L. Ng, Julia A. Beatty, May P. Y. Tse and Antonio Giuliano
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(9), 472; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9090472 - 1 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3397
Abstract
Lymphoma is the most common tumor of the nasal cavity in cats. Commonly used treatment modalities are radiotherapy and chemotherapy, or both. Typical chemotherapy protocols used in cats with nasal lymphoma are COP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine prednisolone) and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone). [...] Read more.
Lymphoma is the most common tumor of the nasal cavity in cats. Commonly used treatment modalities are radiotherapy and chemotherapy, or both. Typical chemotherapy protocols used in cats with nasal lymphoma are COP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine prednisolone) and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone). Thus far, the use of single-agent chlorambucil in nasal lymphoma has been evaluated in a single case report. We report a case series of three cats with B cell nasal lymphoma, two cats with intermediate cell, and one large cell, all with a low mitotic index (MI) of less than 5 mitotic figures per ×400 field, treated with chlorambucil and prednisolone. Two of the cases achieved a long disease-free interval, while the one with the highest MI did not. Protocols using chlorambucil and prednisolone may have potential as a first-line therapy for feline nasal lymphoma cases with a very low mitotic index. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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7 pages, 3177 KiB  
Case Report
Sinonasal Meningioma in a Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)
by Louise van der Weyden, Peter Caldwell, Christine Steyrer, Nicolize O’Dell and Alischa Henning
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(9), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9090457 - 25 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1667
Abstract
Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumour in dogs and cats. However, whilst there are numerous reports of extracranial (spinal, orbital and sinonasal) meningiomas in the dog, there have only been a few case reports of spinal meningiomas, and no post-mortem confirmed [...] Read more.
Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumour in dogs and cats. However, whilst there are numerous reports of extracranial (spinal, orbital and sinonasal) meningiomas in the dog, there have only been a few case reports of spinal meningiomas, and no post-mortem confirmed orbital or sinonasal meningiomas in cats. In this report, a 20-year-old captive tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) with a history of chronic ocular inflammation resulting in enucleation, spontaneously developed tetanic convulsions (epileptic seizures) that over a 2-year period resulted in a gradually worsening condition and the animal was eventually euthanized. At autopsy, a focal, expansile, neoplastic mass was found in the caudal nasal cavity midline, abutting the cribriform plate and slightly compressing the calvarium. Histological analysis revealed nasal turbinates attached to a well-circumscribed expansile multi-lobular mass consisting of interlacing whorls and streams of neoplastic cells supported by a variably fibrous to microcystic collagenous matrix displaying rare psammoma bodies. The diagnosis was sinonasal transitional meningioma. This is the first report of a captive wild felid with an extracranial meningioma, specifically a tiger with a sinonasal transitional meningioma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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9 pages, 3058 KiB  
Case Report
Successful Treatment of Vertebral Osteosarcoma in a Cat Using Marginal Surgical Excision and Chemotherapy
by Antonio Giuliano, Virginie De Busscher, Diane D. A. Lu, Karen W. L. Ng and Julia A. Beatty
Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(7), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9070315 - 23 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2880
Abstract
A three-year-old male neutered Norwegian Forest cat was referred for bilateral ambulatory paraparesis and spinal pain. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a mass involving the right epaxial muscles with vertebral canal invasion and causing marked extradural spinal cord compression was identified. At surgery, [...] Read more.
A three-year-old male neutered Norwegian Forest cat was referred for bilateral ambulatory paraparesis and spinal pain. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a mass involving the right epaxial muscles with vertebral canal invasion and causing marked extradural spinal cord compression was identified. At surgery, the mass was debulked and a right hemilaminectomy was performed. Histopathology was diagnostic of fibroblastic osteosarcoma. Residual osteolytic lesions of the osteosarcoma were present at the level of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra. Four cycles of adjuvant doxorubicin chemotherapy were administered followed by oral toceranib phosphate. Neurological signs improved gradually over weeks to months and the lesion in the spinous process was no longer visible on radiographs. At one year from diagnosis, an MRI of the T3-L3 (3rd thoracic vertebra to the 3rd lumbar vertebra) spinal region and a whole-body computer tomography (CT) scan found no evidence of the osteosarcoma in the spine or of any metastasis. All medications were stopped and, at the time of writing 16 months later, the patient is neurologically normal with no signs of cancer recurrence. This is the first case report documenting the complete resolution of vertebral osteosarcoma lesions after treatment with doxorubicin followed by toceranib phosphate. The treatment also prevented tumor recurrence and was associated with an exceptionally long-term survival time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Feline Oncology)
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