Preputial mass diagnosis in a 7-year-old male ferret

Abstract

: A 7-year-old neutered male polecat-type ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented for evaluation of a cutaneous mass close to the preputial orifice. Cytologic examination of a fine-needle aspirate revealed numerous large clumps of amorphous pink mucinous material and numerous large clumps of slightly pleomorphic epithelial cells. The cells were arranged in papillary structures, palisades, and loosely cohesive sheets with a vaguely honeycomb appearance. Occasional acinar formations were also seen. The cells had moderate to large amounts of finely granular gray to gray-blue cytoplasm. The cells were round to wispy and elongated, with indistinct borders. Often, anuclear cytoplasmic clumps were seen free in the background or adjacent to intact cells. Nuclei were round to oval and usually off-center. Chromatin was finely stippled and contained 1-3 indistinct nucleoli. Anisokaryosis and anisocytosis were moderate. Binucleated cells were noted occasionally. The cytologic features were consistent with a carcinoma of probable apocrine origin. Histopathologic examination supported a diagnosis of secretory apocrine adenocarcinoma of the preputial skin. Secretory apocrine adenocarcinomas of the prepuce are seen relatively frequently in ferrets, although their cytologic appearance has not been described widely. These neoplasms carry a poor prognosis although prompt surgical removal with wide and deep surgical margins and adjunctive radiotherapy may improve survival.