Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dysgerminoma in an Arabian filly.
- Journal:
- Veterinary pathology
- Year:
- 1998
- Authors:
- Chandra, A M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathobiology · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A yearling Arabian filly was taken to the veterinary hospital because she was losing weight, had severe anemia (a low red blood cell count), and fluid buildup in her abdomen. After she passed away, a large, soft tumor was found replacing her left ovary, and smaller tumor nodules were spread throughout her abdomen. The tumor was made up of large cells grouped together with areas of dead tissue, and special tests showed that the tumor cells had certain markers that are typical for this type of cancer. This case is significant because it provides detailed information about a very rare type of ovarian tumor in horses. Unfortunately, the outcome was not positive, as the filly did not survive.
Abstract
A yearling Arabian filly was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital with a history of weight loss, profound anemia, and peritoneal effusion. At necropsy, a large, soft, mottled tan and red neoplastic mass was at the pelvic inlet replacing the left ovary. Additional tumor nodules of various sizes were disseminated throughout the mesentery, diaphragm, and serosal surfaces of the abdominal viscera. Histologically, the neoplasm had sheets of large round to polygonal cells separated into lobules by fibrous connective tissue with multifocal areas of necrosis. Tumor cells stained strongly for alkaline phosphatase. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells expressed vimentin and were negative for cytokeratin. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells had a characteristic nucleolus with an elaborate reticular nucleolonema in an irregular configuration. This is the first in-depth detailed report of this very rare germ cell tumor of the ovary in horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9684977/