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A case of intravascular lymphoma with mixed lineage antigen expression in a cat
M Henrich1, M Huisinga, N Bauer
1Institute for Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany. manfred.henrich@vetmed.uni-giessen.de
Insights
A British Shorthair cat was diagnosed with intravascular lymphoma, a rare cancer affecting blood vessels. This condition presented with severe symptoms like anemia and breathing difficulties in the feline patient.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Oncology
- Hematology
Background:
- Intravascular lymphoma is a rare, aggressive form of lymphoma.
- It involves the proliferation of neoplastic lymphocytes within blood vessels.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to varied clinical signs.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old British Shorthair cat presented with lethargy, dyspnea, fever, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperbilirubinemia.
- Blood smears and lymph node aspirates revealed large, pleomorphic lymphatic blasts.
- Necropsy showed splenic infarcts, hydrothorax, and ascites.
Findings:
- Histological examination confirmed lymphoid blasts within the lumens of vessels in multiple organs, including lungs, lymph nodes, liver, eyes, and brain.
- Immunohistochemistry showed neoplastic cells positive for CD45R and CD3.
- The diagnosis of intravascular lymphoma was established.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering intravascular lymphoma in cats with non-specific clinical signs.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for potential therapeutic interventions.
- Further research into feline intravascular lymphoma is warranted to improve outcomes.
Abstract:
A 3-year-old neutered male British shorthair cat was presented to the Clinic for Small Animal Medicine, Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology, at the Justus-Liebig-University Giessen with a short history of lethargy, severe dyspnoea, fever, anaemia, thrombocytopenia and hyperbilirubinaemia. In blood smears and lymph node aspirates, large pleomorphic lymphatic blasts were detected. On necropsy splenic infarcts and moderate hydrothorax as well as moderate ascites could be observed. Histological examination revealed large numbers of lymphoid blasts within the lumen of the vessels of the lung, lymph nodes, the liver, the chorioid coat of the eyes, in meningeal vessels, arteries and veins of the brain, and within the larger splenic vessels. Neoplastic cells immunohistochemically stained positive for CD45R and CD3. Based on these findings, an intravascular lymphoma was diagnosed.