Pulmonary carcinoma with metastasis in a long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas)

BMC Veterinary Research

Case Report

Cristian M. Suárez-Santana¹  Nakita Câmara¹  Carolina Fernández-Maldonado¹  Josué Díaz-Delgado¹  Alejandro Suárez-Bonnet¹  Eva Sierra¹  Manuel Arbelo¹  Antonio Espinosa de los Monteros¹  Antonio Fernández¹ 

[1]Division of Histology and Animal Pathology, Institute for Animal Health and Food Security, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, C/Transmontana, 35413, Canary Islands, Spain

关键词: Pulmonary carcinoma;    Pilot whale;    Cetacean;    Neoplasia;    Tumour;    Vasculogenic mimicry;    Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12917-016-0855-9

 received in 2016-03-07, accepted in 2016-10-03,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundLung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm in humans, however this does not apply to other animal species. Living in an aquatic environment the respiratory system of cetaceans had to undergo unique adaptations in order to them to survive and cope with totally different respiratory pathogens and potentially carcinogens from those affecting humans.Case presentationThis article discusses not only macroscopical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features of a pulmonary carcinoma with disseminated metastases in a long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), as well as the immunohistochemical analysis performed on various tissues of cetaceans belonging to the genus Globicephala. On the necropsy examination of the carcass, multiple pulmonary nodules and generalised thoracic lymphadenomegaly were noted. Histologically, a malignant epithelial neoplasia was identified in the lung, thoracic lymph nodes, and adrenal gland. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a pulmonary carcinoma. Vasculogenic mimicry and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotype, as suggested by cytomorphological and immunohistochemical characteristics, were observed.ConclusionsA diagnosis of metastatic pulmonary carcinoma was determined, which to the author’s knowledge, appears to be not previously recorded in long-finned pilot whale species. This is also the first report of vasculogenic mimicry and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition event in a spontaneous cancer from a cetacean species.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016