Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Perforin protein found in skin lymphoma of a 9-year-old cat
By Neta, Michal et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2008·Department of Pathobiology, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Perforin expression in feline epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old cat developed skin tumors that first appeared on its tail, which were diagnosed as cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma, a type of skin cancer. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, new masses formed on the cat's flank, face, and ears. Local radiation treatment caused a temporary reduction in tumor size, but the cancer eventually spread, leading to the difficult decision of euthanasia 13 months after the initial diagnosis. This case highlights the aggressive nature of this type of lymphoma in cats and the challenges in treatment.
People also search for: cat skin cancer treatment · feline lymphoma symptoms · why is my cat's skin changing
Abstract
Cutaneous lymphomas are uncommon in people and companion animals. The tumors can be broadly categorized into epitheliotropic and nonepitheliotropic forms, which appear to have different biological behaviors. The present case describes a feline cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma. Masses in a 9-year-old cat were first identified on the tail. The cat was treated with chemotherapy, but additional skin masses developed on the flank, face, and ears. Local radiation induced transient tumor regression, but eventual dissemination prompted euthanasia 13 months after initial tumor appearance. Granular lymphocytes were consistently detected on blood smears, and histologically, the tumor involved the skin and superficial subcutis. Tumor lymphocytes expressed cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) and perforin molecules, suggestive of a cytotoxic phenotype. Location, histopathological features, and perforin expression were similar to a distinct entity in human medicine designated primary cutaneous, CD8-positive, epidermotropic, cytotoxic, T-cell lymphoma.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18987241/