Tracheobronchial neuroendocrine carcinoma in a cat.
A tracheobronchial neuroendocrine carcinoma in a 10-year-old cat with a history of coughing, dyspnoea and anorexia is described. Endoscopic examination revealed a yellowish mass protruding into the trachea and partly obstructing the right bronchial lumen. Histological examination of biopsy samples revealed a hypercellular tumour consisting of sheets or ribbons of small hyperchromatic cells, with oval to spindle-shaped nuclei and minimal cytoplasm; nucleoli and mitotic activity were absent. The findings were confirmed on post-mortem examination. The small neoplastic cells were immunolabelled to varying degrees by antibodies against neuron-specific enolase, S-100 protein, synaptophysin and vimentin. Ultrastructural studies revealed scattered neurosecretory granules and scanty cellular junctional complexes, including desmosomes and tonofilaments, in neoplastic cells.
Rossi
G
G
Department of Animal Science, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy. giacomo.rossi@unicam.it
Magi
G E
GE
Tarantino
C
C
Taccini
E
E
Mari
S
S
Pengo
G
G
Renzoni
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000378:metabolism; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism