Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Unusual joint and bladder tumors in a Bernese Mountain dog
By Quinn, Claire et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2024·Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: It's not always histiocytic sarcoma: Immunocytochemistry to identify two unusual tumors in a Bernese Mountain dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old female spayed Bernese Mountain dog was brought in for blood in her urine (hematuria). During the examination, a tumor in her knee was found, which initially raised concerns about a specific type of cancer called histiocytic sarcoma. However, further tests showed it was a different type of tumor, a grade II soft tissue sarcoma. After several months, she was diagnosed with another cancer in her bladder called transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The tests helped the vet determine the best chemotherapy options for her, and while she faced serious health issues, the precise diagnosis allowed for tailored treatment.
People also search for: Bernese Mountain dog blood in urine · transitional cell carcinoma treatment in dogs · soft tissue sarcoma in dogs
Abstract
A 7-year-old female spayed Bernese Mountain dog was presented for evaluation of hematuria. Incidentally, a right stifle sarcoma was diagnosed via cytology, which raised concern for histiocytic sarcoma (given the patient's signalment) versus another joint-associated sarcoma. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed a CD18-negative, non-histiocytic origin cell population. Findings were consistent with a joint-associated grade II soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The patient's hematuria was progressive over 5 months, and urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) was diagnosed via cystoscopy and histopathology. An enlarged right medial iliac lymph node was identified on routine restaging via abdominal ultrasound 3 months later. Cytology of the lymph node revealed a markedly pleomorphic cell population, again raising concern for histiocytic sarcoma (HS). Other differentials included an anaplastic metastatic population from the joint-associated STS or the TCC. Immunocytochemistry revealed a cytokeratin-positive, CD18-, CD204-, and vimentin-negative cell population, consistent with a carcinoma. DNA was extracted from cytology slides to sequence cells for BRAF mutation status. Sequencing revealed a homozygous V596E (transcript ENSCAFT00845055173.1) BRAF mutation, consistent with the known biology of TCC. In neither case was HS truly present in this patient, but immunocytochemistry provided information that helped to optimize the patient's chemotherapy recommendations.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38923556/