Case of hepatocellular carcinoma in horse-report

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in horses is an uncommon hepatic neoplasm often presenting with vague clinical signsand diagnosed postmortem. This case report describes the clinical presentation, pathological findings and histopathologicalconfirmation of hepatocellular carcinoma with concurrent pericardial haemorrhage in an adult horse. The animal exhibitednonspecific symptoms including lethargy, anorexia and respiratory distress prior to death. Clinical deterioration was rapid andthe horse succumbed despite supportive treatment. A complete postmortem examination was performed revealing a markedlyenlarged and nodular liver with pale to tan patches on surface, unclotted blood within the pericardial sac and heavy edematouslungs with frothy exudate. Microscopic examination of hepatic tissue revealed neoplastic hepatocytes arranged in trabecularand pseudoglandular patterns with marked cellular atypia and areas of necrosis consistent with hepatocellular carcinoma. Thepericardium showed extensive haemorrhage and fibrin deposition while pulmonary sections exhibited alveolar congestion andemphysema. The histopathological findings confirmed a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with associated pericardial haemorrhage. This report highlights a rare multisystemic manifestation of hepatic neoplasia in equines and underscores the importanceof thorough postmortem and histopathological investigations in diagnosing complex systemic conditions.