Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with lung cancer spreading to skin on right side
By Petterino, Claudio et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2005·Department of Public health, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Bronchogenic adenocarcinoma in a cat: an unusual case of metastasis to the skin.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old female domestic shorthair cat was brought to the vet because she was less active than usual. During the exam, a lump was found on her right side, and X-rays showed a problem in her right lung along with fluid buildup. Tests revealed that she had bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer that had spread to her skin. Unfortunately, due to her worsening condition, the decision was made to euthanize her. This case was notable because the cancer spread to her skin rather than the more common areas like her toes.
People also search for: cat decreased activity · cat skin lump · cat lung cancer symptoms · bronchogenic adenocarcinoma in cats · cat euthanasia decision
Abstract
A 6-year-old, spayed, female, domestic shorthair cat was presented for decreased activity. A nodular lesion was found in the skin extending into the subcutaneous tissue of the right abdominal flank. On lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the thorax, an opacity involving the entire right caudal lung lobe and pleural effusion were noted. Cytologic evaluation of cells in the thoracic fluid and in the mass revealed a population of atypical epipthelial cells with marked anisocytosis and high N:C ratios, organized in acinar-like clusters. Multinucleated cells and several mitotic figures were found. The cytologic interpretation was carcinoma. Because of the progressive severity of clinical signs, the cat was euthanized. Histologic evaluation of tissues obtained at necropsy indicated a bronchogenic adenocarcinoma in the lung, with metastasis to the skin of the right flank, but no involvement of the digits. Based on immunohistochemical stains, the neoplastic cells strongly co-expressed cytokeratin and vimentin, and were negative for S-100 and actin-specific antigen. Bronchogenic adenocarcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm in cats, and the digits are the most common sites of metastasis. This case was unusual in that the skin of the abdominal wall was the primary site of metastasis, with no involvement of the digits.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16270268/