Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bronchiolo-alveolar adenocarcinoma in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
- Year:
- 1989
- Authors:
- van Rensburg, I B et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathology
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse was diagnosed with a type of lung cancer called bronchiolo-alveolar adenocarcinoma after suffering from ongoing breathing problems. The horse had large, firm tumors in both lungs, but no other affected areas were found in its body. The cancerous cells were identified as a specific type of lung cell, and they had a unique appearance under the microscope. Unfortunately, despite various tests, the exact nature of the substances causing this appearance could not be determined. Ultimately, the horse was euthanized due to the severity of its condition.
Abstract
A bronchiolo-alveolar adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in the lungs of a horse which was euthanased after protracted respiratory disease and radiological evidence of pulmonary neoplasia. Multifocal, large, firm neoplasms occurred throughout both lungs. Neoplastic lesions were not found elsewhere. Histologically the bronchiolar and alveolar architecture was retained. The cuboidal cells lining neoplastic alveoli had very vacuolated cytoplasm, while some were ciliated. Electron microscopy identified the cells as Type II pneumocytes. Numerous distended myelinoid bodies in the tumour cells accounted for the vacuolated appearance seen by light microscopy. Special stains for fat, mucin, mucopolysaccharides and glycogen failed to elucidate the nature of the substance in these vacuoles.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2562160/