Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with periarticular histiocytic sarcoma and heart metastasis
By Chalfon, Carmit et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2021·Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Periarticular histiocytic sarcoma with heart metastasis in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old female domestic short-haired cat was brought in for advice on additional treatment after having her left front leg amputated due to a rare cancer called periarticular histiocytic sarcoma. Initially, she seemed stable and was given a chemotherapy drug called lomustine, which she tolerated well. However, four weeks later, she developed severe breathing problems, and tests showed that the cancer had spread to her lungs and heart. Unfortunately, due to her poor health and grim prognosis, her owner chose to euthanize her. A necropsy confirmed the cancer's spread to multiple organs, including the heart.
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Abstract
A 4-year-old intact female domestic short-haired cat was referred for recommendations about adjuvant medical treatment 1 month after left forelimb amputation due to periarticular histiocytic sarcoma (HS). At presentation, physical abnormalities were limited to enlarged ipsilateral superficial cervical and axillary lymph nodes. Routine blood analysis, abdominal ultrasound, and thoracic radiology were unremarkable. The cat initially received lomustine without any adverse events. Four weeks later, the cat developed severe acute respiratory distress. Results of thoracic radiographs and transthoracic echocardiographic analysis were suggestive of pulmonary and heart metastasis. Due to the cat's poor clinical condition and prognosis, the owner elected euthanasia, and a necropsy was performed. Based on gross pathology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry, an HS with nodal, renal, pulmonary, and heart (right auricular and right ventricular) metastases was diagnosed. This case represents the first description of HS with a heart metastasis in a cat, providing further insight into the clinical course and metastatic behavior of this rare malignant neoplasm. Clinicians should be aware of this site of metastasis and consider HS in the list of differential diagnoses for secondary heart tumors in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34664293/