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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Gene Editing of Primary Rhesus Macaque B Cells
Published on: February 10, 2023
Pediatric hepatic hemangiosarcoma in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)
A F Mejía1, L Gierbolini, B Jacob
1Department of Comparative Pathology, New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Southborough, MA 01772, USA.
Background:
Pediatric hepatic angiosarcoma is a rare condition in children with poor prognosis. Microscopically this neoplasm has a particular 'Kaposi-form' arrangement. Hemangiosarcoma in non-human primates is a rare finding.
Methods:
Gross and microscopic examination of a 3-year-old rhesus were performed. Immunohistochemistry was used to characterize the hepatic hemangiosarcoma.
Results:
The gross necropsy revealed hemoabdomen and a 4 x 3 x 3 cm mass in the liver with multiple smaller masses throughout the hepatic parenchyma. Histopathology confirmed a poorly differentiated hemangiosarcoma. Other organs submitted were free of metastases.
Conclusions:
Hemangiosarcoma in non-human primates has been rarely reported. Diagnosis was confirmed by expression of endothelial-specific markers CD31 and vWF by immunohistochemistry. Due to the young age of this monkey and the particular solid pattern throughout the mass this neoplasm resembles pediatric hepatic angiosarcoma in humans.
Insights
A rare hemangiosarcoma in a young rhesus monkey
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Comparative Oncology
Background:
- Pediatric hepatic angiosarcoma is a rare childhood cancer with a poor prognosis.
- Hemangiosarcoma is infrequently observed in non-human primates.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old rhesus monkey presented with hemoabdomen and a large liver mass.
- Gross examination revealed a 4x3x3 cm liver mass with smaller lesions.
- Histopathology confirmed a poorly differentiated hemangiosarcoma.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemistry identified endothelial-specific markers CD31 and von Willebrand factor (vWF).
- The tumor showed a solid growth pattern, distinct from typical Kaposi-form angiosarcoma.
- No metastases were found in other organs.
Implications:
- This case highlights the rarity of hemangiosarcoma in non-human primates.
- The tumor's characteristics suggest a resemblance to pediatric hepatic angiosarcoma in humans.
- This finding contributes to comparative oncology research and understanding of rare tumors.
