Imaging, necropsyc and histopathological findings in aggressive mammary tumor in one cat

Abstract

The rate of cancer diagnosis in cats is increasing, and one of the most common type is of mammary gland tumors. Mammary neoplasis are clinically diagnosed, radiology and ultrasound revealed, and confirmed by necropsy examination and through histopathology. One intact female cat, 9 years old, with 10 cm ulcerated mammary tumor and with severe clinical condition, was brought to the Radiology service for imaging examination metastasis check up. Considering the critical condition, the radiological findings, and the clinical tumoral staging, with the consent of the owner, the cat was directed to the anatomopathology department for euthanasia, and for necropsy procedures. Pathological findings that were discovered on survey radiographs included: increased radiopacity in the pulmonary projection area, mild pleural effusion, radiopaque structure defined in the ventral abdominal wall, with decrease radiodensity middle area, and radiopaque kidney projection area. During necropsy, macroscopically was identified: aggressive mammary tumor invasions, pulmonary metastasis, kidney changes and ovarian cysts. Histophatological changes consists of: diagnosed mammary adenocarcinoma consisted of polymorphic cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei, with frequent mitosis and with necrosis areas. Also, subpleural pulmonary metastasis with compact tumoral cells areas, hepatic congestion injury and fibrous nephritis were encountered. Mixed mammary adenocarcinoma exhibit a complex histological pattern, with an aggressive clinical behaviour, associated with a reserved or bad prognostic. Mammary tumours are one of the most frequent neoplasia in female cats; therefore, these tumours represent a serious problem in veterinary medicine.