Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog diagnosed with heart lining cancer using fluid test
By Eun Wha Choi·Published in BMC Veterinary Research·2023·Department of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Pericardial malignant mesothelioma diagnosed in a dog by immunocytochemistry of the pericardial fluid: a case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old spayed female Yorkshire Terrier was brought to the vet because she was having trouble breathing. The vet found fluid around her heart, which can be a sign of serious issues. Tests showed that the cells in the fluid were abnormal, leading to a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, a type of cancer affecting the lining around the heart. This diagnosis was confirmed using a special test that looks for specific markers in the cells. Unfortunately, malignant mesothelioma is a serious condition, and treatment options may be limited, so it’s important for pet owners to discuss the best course of action with their veterinarian.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · Yorkshire Terrier heart fluid · malignant mesothelioma in dogs treatment
Abstract
Abstract Background Pericardial effusions are one of the most common cardiac diseases in dogs. Common causes of haemorrhagic pericardial effusions include neoplasia, such as hemangiosarcoma, mesothelioma, chemodectoma, and ectopic thyroid tumours, and benign idiopathic pericardial effusion. Distinguishing among reactive mesothelial cells, malignant mesothelioma, and adenocarcinoma in body effusions is a diagnostic challenge. Therefore, the author aimed to discover whether the observed cells were reactive mesothelial, mesothelioma, or adenocarcinoma cells through immunocytochemistry using five markers (cytokeratin, vimentin, desmin, E-cadherin, and calretinin) in a canine patient. Case presentation A 2.1 kg, spayed female, 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier dog presented to a local hospital with dyspnoea and was evaluated for pericardial effusion. The presence of pericardial fluid was confirmed, and she was referred to our hospital for further evaluation. In cytological evaluation, cells shed individually or in clusters were observed, along with numerous non-degenerative neutrophils and macrophages. The cells showed binucleation, anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, abnormal nucleoli, abundant basophilic cytoplasm, high nuclear–cytoplasmic ratio, and coarse chromatin. Large atypical multinucleate cells were also observed. Erythrophagia was observed, indicating chronic haemorrhage. Immunocytochemistry using pericardial fluid was positive for cytokeratin, vimentin, desmin, E-cadherin, and calretinin. Therefore, malignant mesothelioma was diagnosed. Conclusions Immunocytochemistry is a very useful diagnostic technique because it can determine whether several fluorescent markers are simultaneously expressed in the same cell. Further, E-cadherin and calretinin can be used for the differential diagnosis of reactive mesothelial cells, malignant mesothelioma, and adenocarcinoma in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03655-8