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Published on: October 24, 2016
Renal extramedullary plasmacytoma in a dog
Jason Johnson1, Germaine Hung1, Victoria Larson1
1VCA Canada Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre, Calgary, Alberta (Johnson, Larson, Spotswood); VCA Canada Western Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre, Calgary, Alberta (Hung); ANTECH Diagnostics, Fountain Valley, California, USA (Manasse).
This report describes a rare case of a plasma cell tumor originating in the kidney of a dog. The patient presented with a suspected cyst, but imaging and surgery revealed a malignant growth. Although the tumor was removed, the long-term outcome remained uncertain due to limited follow-up. This case highlights the importance of considering rare neoplasms in canine renal masses.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary oncology and renal extramedullary plasmacytoma diagnostics
- Small animal internal medicine and surgical pathology
Background:
No prior work had resolved the occurrence of primary plasma cell tumors within the canine kidney. While these growths appear in other soft tissues, their presence in renal parenchyma remains undocumented. That uncertainty drove clinicians to rely on general diagnostic protocols for kidney masses. Prior research has shown that extramedullary plasmacytomas typically manifest in the skin or oral cavity. This gap motivated the documentation of unusual presentations in geriatric canine patients. Clinicians often encounter renal masses that are misidentified as simple cysts or common carcinomas. Understanding the full spectrum of potential renal pathologies improves diagnostic accuracy for practitioners. This report addresses the scarcity of literature regarding rare renal neoplasms in veterinary medicine.
Purpose Of The Study:
The aim of this report is to document the clinical presentation and management of a rare renal plasmacytoma in a dog. This study addresses the lack of information regarding primary plasma cell tumors in canine kidneys. Clinicians often face challenges when diagnosing atypical renal masses that mimic common cystic conditions. The authors seek to provide a detailed account of the diagnostic imaging and surgical findings. By sharing this case, the researchers intend to expand the current understanding of canine renal oncology. The motivation for this work stems from the unique nature of the tumor location. This report serves as a reference for veterinary professionals encountering similar clinical scenarios in their practice. The study highlights the necessity of thorough histopathological evaluation for all excised renal masses.
Main Methods:
The review approach involved a retrospective analysis of clinical records for a geriatric canine patient. Investigators utilized computed tomography to evaluate the anatomical extent of the abdominal mass. Surgeons executed a left-sided nephrectomy to address the suspected pathology and mitigate retroperitoneal bleeding. Pathologists examined the excised tissue samples to verify the cellular origin of the growth. The team conducted systemic screening to rule out multiple myeloma as a potential underlying cause. Clinicians monitored the patient throughout the perioperative period to track recovery progress. The report synthesizes these diagnostic and surgical steps to provide a comprehensive case overview. This methodology ensures a detailed account of the clinical presentation and management of the rare tumor.
Main Results:
Key findings from the literature indicate that the patient was a 10-year-old Siberian husky presenting with a suspected renal cyst. Computed tomography revealed a large mass in the left kidney associated with retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a renal plasmacytoma. Perioperative screening for multiple myeloma yielded negative results, suggesting a localized disease process. The surgical team successfully performed a left-sided nephrectomy to remove the affected kidney. The patient survived for 11 months following the procedure before being euthanized. No necropsy was performed to evaluate the final cause of death or potential tumor recurrence. This case establishes the first known occurrence of this specific neoplasm within the canine renal system.
Conclusions:
The authors present the inaugural documentation of a primary renal plasma cell tumor in a canine patient. This report synthesizes clinical, imaging, and surgical data to characterize the rare presentation. The findings suggest that clinicians should include this malignancy in differential diagnoses for renal masses. The absence of systemic involvement indicates that the tumor may exist as a localized disease process. Practitioners must remain vigilant when evaluating large kidney masses with associated retroperitoneal bleeding. The authors note that the patient survived for nearly one year following the surgical intervention. This synthesis implies that nephrectomy serves as a viable management strategy for localized renal plasmacytoma. Future clinical reports are needed to establish long-term prognostic indicators for this specific condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
The researchers propose that the primary renal plasmacytoma originated within the kidney tissue itself. Unlike multiple myeloma, which involves systemic bone marrow involvement, this patient showed no signs of widespread disease during the perioperative screening process.
Computed tomography served as the primary imaging modality to visualize the mass. This tool identified a large left-sided growth accompanied by retroperitoneal hemorrhage, which necessitated the subsequent surgical removal of the affected organ.
A nephrectomy was performed because the imaging revealed a significant mass causing hemorrhage. This surgical approach allowed for the definitive histopathological confirmation of the tumor type, distinguishing it from common renal cysts or other malignancies.
Histopathology provided the definitive diagnosis for the tumor. This data type confirmed the presence of plasma cells, which allowed the team to classify the growth as an extramedullary plasmacytoma rather than a more common renal carcinoma.
The patient was a 10-year-old Siberian husky. This specific measurement of age and breed highlights the demographic profile of the animal, which presented with clinical signs mimicking a simple renal cyst.
The authors suggest that this case represents the first documented instance of this tumor type in a dog. They imply that this diagnosis should be considered when evaluating renal masses that do not fit typical clinical patterns.

