Hemangiosarcoma of the nictitant membrane in a Brazilian Fila dog: case report

Relata-se o caso de um cão, macho, da raça Fila Brasileiro, com nove anos de idade, acometido por neoformação tecidual na membrana nictitante do olho direito, com cerca de quatro meses de evolução. Realizou-se exame oftálmico rotineiro, a partir do qual se notaram hiperemia e edema conjuntivais, secreção ocular serossangüinolenta e neoformação saliente na conjuntiva da membrana nictitante. Realizou-se a exérese cirúrgica da neoformação. À histopatologia, encontraram-se células endoteliais pouco diferenciadas e pleomórficas que originavam intensa neoformação vascular, compatíveis com hemangiossarcoma da membrana nictitante.

Ataxia due to vertebral hemangiosarcoma with evidence of disseminated disease in a 20-year old Swiss Warmblood mare

A 20-year old Swiss Warmblood mare was referred to the Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine with a history of poor performance, coughing and ataxia and hindlimb weakness which progressed to recumbency. Lung auscultation revealed pronounced wheezing, blood work showed signs of chronic inflammation and increased bone turnover and thoracic ultrasound indicated patchy pulmonary consolidation. Cerebrospinal fluid revealed only mild, unspecific changes allowing exclusion of meningoencephalomyelitis and clinically relevant bleeding. Despite medical treatment and support in a sling the mare did not improve and was euthanized. Necropsy revealed a poorly demarcated, non-encapsulated and invasively growing mass dorsally in the musculature at the level of the forth cervical vertebra (C4) infiltrating the vertebral body and the spinal canal at the level of C1–C2. Multiple nodular, firm masses were present in all lobes of the lung and appeared to be mainly located in vessels. Histologically the masses were composed of spindle cells with marked anisocytosis, anisocaryosis, a high mitotic activity and showed invasive growth. These neoplastic cells stained positive for CD31, an endothelial cell marker, which confirmed diagnosis of a hemangiosarcoma. Definite ante mortem diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma, which is rare in horses, is challenging. Besides the vertebral localization, disseminated, locally invasive and cutaneous forms of hemangiosarcoma exist and can be either acquired or congenital. Prognosis for equine hemangiosarcoma and response to treatment are usually poor and progression of clinical signs is rapid. Vertebral hemangiosarcoma is an uncommon cause of spinal ataxia in horses.

Esplenopatias cirúrgicas em cães, estudo retrospetivo num hospital de referência na área da Grande Lisboa

As esplenopatias são doenças comuns em canídeos que tanto podem estar associadas com doenças benignas com excelente prognóstico, como doenças com alto grau de malignidade com elevada taxa de mortalidade. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar a população de canídeos esplenectomizados num hospital de referência na área da grande Lisboa. A população foi constituída por 73 indivíduos da espécie Canis familiaris sujeitos a esplenectomia total ou parcial. A população foi analisada e distribuída segundo vários parâmetros, como o a raça, o sexo, a idade, o diagnóstico pré-cirúrgico, o diagnóstico histopatológico, o hematócrito pré cirúrgico e por fim a sobrevida. Da análise total de canídeos, observou-se que, a maioria dos canídeos esplenectomizados eram do género masculino, de raça indeterminada e com uma média de 10 anos de idade. Constatou-se que cerca de metade dos canídeos esplenectomizados sobreviveram após um ano da cirurgia e que o diagnóstico histopatológico mais comum foi o hemangiossarcoma, seguido do hematoma esplénico. Através dos testes estatísticos conclui-se que o hematócrito não apresenta qualquer relação com a sobrevida dos animais, embora possa estar relacionado com o diagnóstico histopatológico. Este estudo visou ainda uma caracterização detalhada dos canídeos diagnosticados com hemangiossarcoma. Os animais mais afectados nesta amostra, eram do género masculino com 9anos de idade e eram da raça Boxer e Labrador. Confirmou-se ainda que esta é uma doença com mau prognóstico, apresentando uma taxa de mortalidade de 80%.

Hemangiossarcoma cardíaco em cão: Relato de caso

Cardiac tumors are relatively rare in dogs, being hemangiosarcoma (HAS) the most common neoplasia. It consists in a primary, endothelial-originated neoplasia, which frequently compromises the right atrium. The pericardial effusion, frequently identified in dogs with heart HSA is responsible for the clinical signs, such as lethargy, exercise intolerance, dyspnea, and syncope. The diagnosis is difficult and suggested mainly by the clinic, hematologic, radiographic and echocardiographic findings, and was confirmed by histopathological examination. The present study aimed to report the presence of a heart HSA in a seven year old, spayed dog presented with signs of a congestive heart failure, due to the presence of a pericardial effusion secondary to tumor, and also lung, liver and spleen metastases. Despite this uncommon association a cardiac tumor should be suspected when signs of a heart failure, with rapid decline in the clinical status abruptly occurs.

Caracterização imunoistoquímica de neoplasias de bexigas associadas à hematúria enzoótica bovina

Bovine enzootic hematuria is characterized by the development of hemangiomatous lesions from several types of neoplastic processes, from epithelial and mesenchymal origin. In this research the histogenesis of neoplastic lesions found in bladder of bovines with enzootic hematuria from Caparaó microregion in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil was determined. To accomplish this objective, immunohistochemical analysis was performed with primary antibodies: anti-vimentin, anti-cytokeratin, anti-CD31 and anti-uroplakin. Neoplasms found included urothelial carcinoma, in situ carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, hemangioma, myxoma e hemangiosarcoma. Immunohistochemical staining of cytokeratin in epithelial neoplasms and vimentin in mesenchymal neoplasms was significant (p<0.05). CD31 was positive in all the vessels of all samples, however, the staining was significant (p<0.05) in the tumor endothelial cells of the vascular mesenchymal neoplasms, as in hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas. Uroplakin III staining was uneven in several neoplastic types and showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Most neoplasms showed an atypical uroplakin staining on urothelium and, in the case of hemangiosarcomas there was no staining of the urothelium at all. The Spearman statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation (r= 0.63, p= 0.05) between CD31 and vimentin and between cytokeratin and uroplakin (rs= -0.61, p= 0.05). It was concluded that biomarkers anti-cytokeratin, anti-vimentin and anti-CD31 are important for the diagnosis of neoplasms epithelial, mesenchymal and vascular mesenchymal, respectively. It is possible to use vimentin and CD31 in association in vascular mesenchymal neoplasms and cytokeratin and uroplakin in epithelial neoplasms. The uroplakin is an effective marker, not only for tumor diagnosis, but also to evaluate the urothelial integrity.

Facial hemangiossarcoma in a blue-fronted amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva)

Here we describe the first case report of an hemangiosarcoma in a male Blue-fronted amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva). The mass was localized near the inferior portion of the right orbit. A fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed and a presuntive diagnosis of hemangioma/hemangiosarcoma was established. Further histopathological evaluation revealed a mesenchymal neoplasm composed basically by well formed vascular channels lined by pleomorphic endothelial cells. Thus, the final diagnosis was a well-differentiated cutaneous hemangiosarcoma.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in splenic hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas in dogs

Formation of new blood vessels is paramount for tumour growth and metastatic dissemination and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the key regulators of this process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of VEGF in 23 splenic hemangiosarcomas and 7 splenic hemangiomas in dogs. Blood tests performed previous to splenectomy were analysed for correlation with tumour VEGF expression. Results showed significantly higher VEGF expression in hemangiosarcomas than hemangiomas and lower hematocrit values and red cell count in dogs affected with malignant neoplasia (P < 0.05). These findings suggest the presence of high VEGF levels may be related to the malignant vascular proliferation seen in hemangiosarcomas.

Esplenomegalia em cães: estudo retrospectivo

The aim of this study was to review the prevalence of canine splenic disorders by means of a retrospectiveanalysis of histological diagnosis after splenectomy. The results were confronted with laboratory findings, clinical signs and presence of cardiac arrhythmia and hemoperitoneum, in an attempt to establish the differentialdiagnosis of splenomegaly. One hundred and nine dogs assisted at the Veterinary Hospital of theSchool of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, University of São Paulo, were included in the retrospectivestudy, between 2002 and 2009. The average age was 10 years old ± 3, with no sexual predilection. Mixedbreed dogs was the most affected kind, and average weight was 22 kg ± 13. Overall, 52% (57/109) of dogswere splenectomized due to non-neoplastic diseases and 48% (52/109) to neoplastic diseases. Among thelatter, the most common diagnosis was hemangiosarcoma (28 dogs; 54%). Most frequent clinical signs includedanorexia, lethargy and vomiting. Results showed that dogs with low red blood cell count, low hematocritvalues and/or hemoperitoneum were more likely to have splenic malignant neoplasm. On the otherhand, sex, breed, size, age, cardiac arrhythmia and other laboratory parameters were not determining factorsin the differentiation of splenomegaly.

Hemangiossarcoma corneal em cão

Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm and its corneal presentation is uncommon in the dog. The present work reports a case of primary corneal hemangiosarcoma on a mongrel female dog, 20kg, nine years old with a 2 month history of a mass with progressive growth in the right eye. The ophthalmic examination of the right eye showed blepharospasm, moderated conjunctival hyperemia and the presence of a reddish irregular nodule on the dorsal region of the cornea, occupying approximately 60% of the cornea. The ocular ultrasound revealed that the neoplasm affected only the cornea and the cytological examination diagnosed a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm. The patient was submitted to keratectomy followed by a third eyelid flap. The excised material was sent for histopathological analysis that diagnosed hemangiosarcoma. Fifteen days after surgery the third eyelid flap was removed and the ophthalmic examination revealed recurrence of the tumor, with the mass occupying the entire cornea and part of the bulbar conjunctiva. The patient was submitted to enucleation. No alterations were observed on the abdominal ultrasound and thoracic radiography, showing the primary characteristics of the disease. Two years after surgery the patient is clinically healthy, without any signs of recurrence or metastasis. Despite the surgical excision of the tumor with free margins, in cases of hemangiosarcoma with aggressive behavior, the enucleation should be considered as a viable option for a successfull therapeutic protocol and better prognosis of the patient.

Angiosarcoma en linfedema crónico posmastectomía : Síndrome de Stewart-Treves

Objetivo: comunicar un caso de angiosarcoma en linfedema crónico posmastectomía, revisar los diagnósticos diferenciales, destacando que el diagnóstico temprano de esta entidad es la única alternativa para poder modificar la evolución tórpida de esta enfermedad. Caso clínico: presentamos una mujer de 78 años con el antecedente de mastectomía izquierda y cobaltoterapia realizadas en 1990, presentando en el año 2000 edema progresivo en miembro homolateral y pared torácica, con la aparición de placas y nódulos rojo-violáceos, indurados, dolorosos desde noviembre de 2006. La extensión y progresión de su enfermedad motivó su internación para corroborar diagnóstico presuntivo de síndrome de Stewart-Treves con biopsias, establecer diagnósticos diferenciales, estudio clínico-oncológico, control del dolor y evaluar posibles tratamientos. Comentarios: 1). El intervalo entre el diagnóstico del carcinoma de mama y el de este cuadro es de 10-20 años. 2). La supervivencia de los pacientes es < 5%. 3). Las posibilidades terapéuticas son agresivas e infructuosas en la mayoría de los casos. 4). El pronóstico depende de la alta sospecha precoz de las lesiones y su extirpación quirúrgica.

Clínica de animais de companhia

O presente relatório apresenta as atividades desenvolvidas no estágio decorrido no Hospital Ars Veterinaria. A primeira parte do relatório refere-se ao relatório de casuística com apresentação de casos e procedimentos acompanhados. A segunda refere-se à monografia com o tema “Opções terapêuticas em hemangiossarcoma canino” e encontra-se ilustrada por três casos clínicos. O hemangiossarcoma é uma neoplasia descrita com origem endotelial, devido à aparência histológica, no entanto descobertas recentes sugerem que provém de células progenitoras hematopoiéticas. Os sinais clínicos são inespecíficos e variáveis. A localização mais comum é o baço, embora ocorra noutras localizações. O diagnóstico requer o estadiamento tumoral e para ser completo deve incluir hematologia e bioquímica sérica, provas de coagulação, exames imagiológicos e confirmação histopatológica. O tratamento base é cirúrgico associado a protocolos quimioterápicos baseados em doxorrubicina. Novas terapias começam a ser investigadas de forma a melhorar os tempos de sobrevivência desta neoplasia de prognóstico reservado; Abstract: Small animal medicine This report was elaborated following a traineeship at the Ars Veterinaria Hospital. The first part concerns about cases report and includes presentation of cases and followed procedures. The second part is the monography under the theme “therapeutical options in canine hemangiosarcoma” and it presents three clinical cases seen during the internship. The hemangiossarcoma is a cancer described to have endothelial origin, because of its histological appearance, but recent discoveries suggest that it originates from hematopoietic progenitor cells. The clinical signs are variable and unspecific. The most common location is the spleen, but others might exist. The diagnosis demands tumoral staging, which to be complete must include hematology and biochemical analysis, coagulation tests, imagiologic tests and histopathologic confirmation. The basic treatment is surgical, associated with chemotherapy based on doxorubicin. New therapies are beginning to be investigated, aiming improve survival times of this cancer with reserved prognosis.