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An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Thyroid carcinosarcoma in a dog
1Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA. brankag@iastate.edu
Veterinary Pathology
|January 20, 2005
Summary
A rare canine carcinosarcoma originating from the thyroid gland was identified in a dog. This diagnosis, confirmed by specific cell markers, marks a significant advancement in understanding this extremely rare neoplasm.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Oncology
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Carcinosarcoma is a rare malignant neoplasm characterized by the simultaneous presence of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements.
- Thyroid carcinosarcoma is an exceptionally rare subtype, with limited documented cases in veterinary literature.
- Understanding the origin and behavior of rare canine tumors can provide insights into human oncological conditions.
Observation:
- An adult mixed-breed dog presented with dysphagia and a palpable cervical mass.
- Radiographs revealed a subcutaneous cervical mass and pulmonary metastatic nodules.
- Surgical excision of the cervical mass was performed for diagnostic purposes.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination diagnosed the cervical mass as carcinosarcoma.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis, with positive staining for cytokeratin and vimentin.
- Specific immunohistochemistry for thyroglobulin identified the thyroid gland as the tissue of origin.
Implications:
- This case represents the fifth documented instance of canine thyroid carcinosarcoma and the first confirmed using specific cell markers.
- The confirmation of thyroid origin through immunohistochemistry provides definitive diagnostic criteria for this rare tumor.
- This finding contributes to the comparative oncology field, highlighting similarities between rare canine and human neoplasms.
