Tracheal carcinosarcoma (true malignant mixed tumour) in a Belgian Blue heifer

This report describes a case of a carcinosarcoma or true malignant mixed tumour (salivary gland type) of the trachea in a Belgian Blue heifer. At post-mortem examination a nodular, well-circumscribed, firmly attached mass was found in the tracheal wall, severely compressing the tracheal lumen. Histologically the tumour was biphasic, with varying proportions of epithelial elements dispersed throughout a matrix showing varying degrees of myxo-chondroid and cartilaginous differentiation. The histological features of the tumour were consistent with a combination of an adenoid cystic carcinoma and a chondrosarcoma. Immunolabelling demonstrated smooth muscle actin in the cytoplasm of both the epithelial and mesenchymal components, thus fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for a mixed tumour. To our knowledge this is the first report of a mixed tumour of the trachea in a domestic animal.