title: Clinical course of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica).
abstract: A 14-year-old male Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) was admitted with an ulcerating mass on the right thoracic wall. Radiographic and computed tomographic evaluation indicated 2 isolated cutaneous masses without any signs of metastasis. Histology of a Tru-Cut biopsy revealed an anaplastic sarcoma with giant cells. Both tumors were resected with appropriate normal tissue margins. The size of the defect did not allow primary closure of the wound; therefore, a mesh expansion technique was attempted. Three months later, the tiger had to be euthanized due to extensive metastasis to the lungs. Histomorphological features and immunohistochemical results confirmed the diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. In contrast to domestic animal experience, the tumor had spread extensively to the lungs without local reccurrence in a short period of time. Correct diagnosis requires various immunohistochemical evaluations of the tumor tissue.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland. hsteinmetz@vetclinics.uzh.ch
authors.forename: Hanspeter W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Steinmetz
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rütten
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ruess-Melzer
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohlerth
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lischer
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oevermann
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bode-Lesniewska
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hatt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D046010:Tigers