Spontaneous telangiectatic osteosarcoma in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)

J Med Primatol. 2017 Apr;46(2):51-55. doi: 10.1111/jmp.12254. Epub 2017 Feb 10.

Abstract

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of bone cancer, especially in young. Telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TO) is a rare variant of OS, and hence, its occurrence, presentation, and prognosis are poorly understood. A 4-year-old female rhesus monkey presenting lameness and swelling was examined for a mass on the right humerus. Radiography revealed fracture and disorganized structure of bone tissue. Histopathological examination revealed malignant neoplasm composed of anaplastic osteoblasts, which invaded the bone marrow and surrounded blood-filled cysts in the epiphysis and diaphysis forming septa. Cytogenetic analysis showed aneuploid cells, supernumerary AgNORs, and a marker fragment. The neoplasm was diagnosed as TO. To our knowledge, the occurrence of TO and its cytogenetic analysis were reported for the first time in non-human primates.

Keywords: bone cancer; chromosomes; non-human primate; osteosarcoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Cytogenetic Analysis / veterinary
  • Female
  • Macaca mulatta*
  • Monkey Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Osteosarcoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteosarcoma / veterinary*
  • Radiography / veterinary
  • Telangiectasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Telangiectasis / veterinary*