Hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis to the spleen in a Holstein cow.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with metastasis to the spleen in a Holstein cow was studied by histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. The tumor was characterized by a pseudoglandular (acinar) pattern with an associated fibrous stroma. Individual cells often had a "hepatoid" appearance but were interspersed with scattered cells exhibiting a clear, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive cytoplasm and small eccentric nuclei. This pattern was present in nodules found in both liver and spleen. Moreover, hepatoid tumor cells were positive for alpha-fetoprotein. Immunohistochemical studies suggest that myofibroblasts were responsible for the production of fibrous septa surrounding the pseudoglandular structures of bovine HCC. In summary, our histologic and immunohistochemical findings support a diagnosis of primary HCC with splenic metastasis. Furthermore, the associated stromal response appears to be of a myofibroblast origin. The primary etiology of bovine HCC and the significance of the intralesional, PAS-positive clear cells remain undetermined.
Jeong
W I
WI
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu City 702-701, South Korea.
Do
S H
SH
Sohn
M H
MH
Yun
H S
HS
Kwon
O D
OD
Kim
T H
TH
Jeong
D H
DH
Williams
B H
BH
Jeong
K S
KS
D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000556:secondary / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000662:veterinary*