Disseminated sweat gland adenocarcinoma with acronecrosis in a cat

Sweat gland adenocarcinomas are uncommon tumors in domestic animals. In this report, a cat with a disseminated sweat gland adenocarcinoma accompanied by acronecrosis is presented. The acronecrosis was characterized by ischemic necrosis and sloughing of the digits in all 4 feet. The neoplasm was characterized by a highly invasive and destructive cell population composed of pleomorphic and anaplastic glandular cells. Metastasis to the heart, lung, lymph nodes, liver and kidney was seen. Within the subcutis of the front feet small neoplastic foci extended to the distal phalanges and sloughed areas. There was also marked thrombosis unassociated with tumor invasion adjacent to areas of digital sloughing. In the rear paws, there was little tumor invasion, and thrombosis at the sloughed sites predominated.