Intraabdominal lymphangiosarcoma in a Fischer-344 rat

A Sarcoma arising in the abdominal cavity in an aged Fischer-344 rat was studied by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The white-yellow soft mass was located on the lumbosacral vertebrae, compressing adjacent parenchymal organs. The tumor was made up of spindle shaped cells situated in a background of myxoid substance and a small amount of reticulin and collagen fibers. The tumor cells grew in a loose storiform pattern and often adhered to each other by their cell processes to form ovoid or slitlike spaces. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin but negative for keratin, macrophage ED1 antigen, alpha-smooth muscle actin, Factor VIII-related antigen, and S100 protein. Electron microscopy demonstrated the endothelial differentiation of the tumor cells, such as occasional luminal spaces, a small number of micropinocytotic vesicles, and interdigitating junctions with desmosomes between cell processes of adjacent cells. Furthermore, its endothelial origin was suggested by the presence of electron-dense rods resembling Weibel-Palade bodies. Instead of a definitive basement lamina surrounding the tumor cells, there were extracellular thin "anchoring filaments" that were attached to the cell surface at areas of increased electron density. These findings indicate that the tumor is of lymphatic vessel type rather than blood vessel type.