Pancreatic carcinosarcoma in a cat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Comparative Oncology

Background:

• Carcinosarcomas are rare malignant neoplasms characterized by the simultaneous presence of carcinomatous (epithelial) and sarcomatous (mesenchymal) elements.
• Pancreatic tumors in cats are uncommon, with limited information available on their diverse histological subtypes and metastatic potential.

Observation:

• A 10-year-old American Shorthair cat presented with weight loss and an intra-abdominal mass.
• Ultrasonography and laparotomy revealed masses in the left uterine horn, pancreas, omentum, and diaphragm.
• Microscopic examination of the pancreatic mass showed both epithelial (cytokeratin-positive) and mesenchymal (vimentin-positive) components.

Findings:

• Immunohistochemistry suggested potential epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the pancreatic mass due to vimentin and E-cadherin expression in spindle cells.
• Metastatic masses in the uterus, omentum, and diaphragm consisted solely of mesenchymal components.
• The pancreatic lesion was diagnosed as a primary carcinosarcoma, with metastasis of its mesenchymal component.

Implications:

• This case represents the first documented instance of pancreatic carcinosarcoma in feline species.
• Understanding the dual-component nature and metastatic behavior of this tumor is crucial for feline oncology.
• Further research into feline pancreatic neoplasms can improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic strategies for affected animals.