A gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma expressing somatostatin in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps).
A metastatic gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma in a 2.5-year-old inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with a chronic history of anorexia, weight loss, depression, and acute melena is described. Histologic examination of the gastric mass revealed a densely cellular tumor arranged in nests and occasional rosettes of hyperchromatic cells with oval to spindle-shaped nuclei and minimal cytoplasm; the tumor was supported by a moderate fibrovascular stroma. Similar cells invaded through the gastric mucosa, and there were multiple hepatic metastases. The neoplastic cells were weakly immunopositive for neuron-specific enolase and moderately positive for somatostatin but were negative for chromogranin AB and gastrin. Ultrastructural studies revealed scattered neurosecretory granules in the neoplastic cells, confirming the diagnosis of a neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Department of Pathobiology, 2407 River Drive, Room A201, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4542, USA.
Jeremiah A
JA
Lyons
Shelley J
SJ
Newman
Cheryl B
CB
Greenacre
John
J
Dunlap
D000818:Animals; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000662:veterinary; D008116:Lizards; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*