Atypical fibroepithelial hyperplasia of the teats in a Sphynx cat: a case report

Abstract

This study was conducted on a three-year-old Sphynx breed female cat which was brought to the clinic for masses on the teats. The medical history showed that these masses had developed slowly within the period of six months to one year. Following the clinical examination, these masses were removed via surgery. They were between 0.6 cm and 1.5 cm in diameter. Ulcer areas 2 mm to 5 mm in size were observed over the skin. Their sectional surface was uniformly grayish in colour. Histopathological examination of the masses revealed that the cells originated from the glandular duct and had given rise to hyperplasia; connective tissue was densely attached to the masses. Moreover, inflammatory changes and areas of ulceration were observed. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the cells surrounding the epithelial hyperplasia were vimentin-positive and the proliferative activity of epithelial cells was measured to be 50% by analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Based on clinical, histological and immunohistochemical findings, it was found the masses were diagnosed as atypical fibroepithelial hyperplasia. This case is the first to present a fibroepithelial hyperplasia in the teats of a cat.