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Published on: October 24, 2016
Primary cardiac spindle cell tumor in a dog
Midori G Asakawa1, Marisa K Ames, Yongbaek Kim
1Department of Population Health and Pathobiology (Asakawa) and Department of Clinical Science (Ames), College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1052 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, USA; The Laboratory of Clinical Pathology and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742, The Republic of Korea (Kim).
A Labrador retriever was diagnosed with primary cardiac sarcoma, a rare heart tumor. This condition presented as respiratory issues and a heart murmur, requiring advanced imaging and diagnostics for identification.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Canine Pathology
- Comparative Oncology
Background:
- Primary cardiac tumors are rare in dogs.
- Clinical presentation can be nonspecific, mimicking other cardiopulmonary diseases.
- Early diagnosis is crucial for management.
Observation:
- An adult Labrador retriever exhibited respiratory distress and a heart murmur.
- Echocardiography and thoracic radiographs identified a mass at the heart base.
- The mass infiltrated the left atrial wall.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination revealed neoplastic spindle cells with abundant extracellular matrix.
- Histochemical stains and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis.
- The final diagnosis was primary cardiac sarcoma.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare cardiac tumors in dogs with suggestive clinical signs.
- Advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques are essential for accurate diagnosis.
- Understanding the characteristics of canine cardiac sarcoma can aid in future research and treatment strategies.
