Multicentric cutaneous neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma in a dog

Multicentric cutaneous neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma was diagnosed in a 5-year-old castrated male Keeshond dog with multiple firm nodular cutaneous masses. The neoplastic tissue locally effaced the periadnexal and deep dermis and consisted of densely cellular confluent clusters of round to polygonal cells supported by a delicate fibrovascular stroma. The cells were moderately immunoreactive with chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and cytokeratin. Ultrastructurally, the cells had characteristic membrane-bound dense-core neuroendocrine granules approximately 120 nm in diameter and randomly dispersed throughout the cytoplasm. Effacement of dermal structures and multicentric distribution suggested low-grade malignant phenotype. These findings contrast with the typical benign behavior of canine cutaneous neuroendocrine tumors.