title: Thyroid c-cell carcinoma in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).
abstract: A 3-yr-old African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was submitted with dysphagia, weight loss, and tetraparesis. A palpable mass was found on the ventral neck. Histologic examination revealed replacement of the thyroid gland by a highly cellular, expansile, and infiltrative mass composed of lobules of polygonal cells separated by fine fibrovascular septa. Examination of ultrathin sections revealed tumor cells with few to many dense-core neuroendocrine granules, approximately 100-200 nm in diameter, and stromal amyloid. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for neuron-specific enolase. Only rare cells had positive immunohistochemical staining for calcitonin. Findings are consistent with a neuroendocrine tumor of C-cell origin. This is the first report of a C-cell carcinoma in a hedgehog.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia 31793, USA.
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Eloise L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Styer
authors.forename: Janeen K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Stobaeus
authors.forename: Terry M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Norton
mesh_terms: D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006364:Hedgehogs; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000662:veterinary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000662:veterinary*