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Ectopic Splenic Adenocarcinoma in a Dog
Saori Shimizu1, Rena Okada1, Megu Itahashi2
1Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan.
Journal of Comparative Pathology
|September 10, 2021
Summary
A Border Collie was diagnosed with spleen adenocarcinoma, a rare cancer arising from ectopic pancreatic tissue. This finding highlights the importance of considering unusual origins for splenic tumors in dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Comparative Oncology
- Canine Neoplasia
Background:
- Splenic tumors are common in dogs, but ductal adenocarcinoma is rare.
- Ectopic tissues, including pancreas, can occur in the spleen, presenting diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old Border Collie presented with an enlarged spleen and a small liver nodule.
- Histopathological examination revealed atypical neoplastic cells infiltrating the spleen, forming duct-like structures and acinar formations.
- Immunohistochemistry showed ductal and acinar differentiation markers consistent with exocrine pancreas.
Findings:
- The splenic tumor was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma of ectopic exocrine pancreas.
- Neoplastic cells expressed cytokeratins (AE1/AE3, CAM5.2, CK7) and markers of exocrine pancreas (mucin-1, trypsin, pancreatic lipase).
- Absence of markers for other cell types (e.g., vimentin, chromogranin A, hepatocyte paraffin 1) supported the diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of splenic neoplasia in dogs.
- It underscores the importance of immunohistochemistry in diagnosing rare tumors with complex differentiation.
- The findings contribute to the field of comparative oncology by documenting pancreatic adenocarcinoma in canine splenic ectopic tissue.
