Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with rare gastrointestinal tumor causing vomiting and weight loss
By Lucas Costa Nogueira et al.·Published in Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Pathology·2026·Universidade Federal Fluminense, BR
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Original publication title: Transmural gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the mixed subtype in a canine: case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old dog was brought in with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal pain. After imaging tests, the vet discovered a tumor in the dog's cecum, which was confirmed through a biopsy. The tumor, a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), was about 7 cm in size and had specific cell characteristics that helped the vet identify it. Treatment options for GISTs can vary, but early diagnosis is crucial for better outcomes.
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Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms originating from interstitial cells of Cajal, characterized, in most cases, by the immunohistochemical expression of c-Kit (CD117). In dogs, they are rare and the associated clinical signs are nonspecific, including vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal pain, which often makes clinical diagnosis difficult. This paper describes a case of GIST in a dog, located in the cecum, detected through imaging exams and diagnosed via anatomopathological evaluation, and immunohistochemical. Macroscopically, the mass was transmural and measured approximately 7.0 cm in diameter, white to dark brown in color, had a soft consistency, and, upon cutting, a smooth, solid surface. Microscopically, the neoplasm was predominantly composed of spindle cells, with multifocal areas of epithelioid cells, both with positive plasma membrane staining for c-Kit and absence of Desmin expression, confirming the diagnosis. This report reinforces the importance of immunohistochemical evaluation in differentiating GISTs from other mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract and contributes to the understanding of the morphological and clinicopathological aspects of this entity in dogs.
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