Soft tissue tumors/sarcomas (STSs) in felines, encompassing a variety of mesenchymal tumors with similar histomorphological features, present diagnostic challenges due to their diverse cellular origins and the overlap with other tumor types such as feline sarcoid. This study aimed to delineate the clinical, histomorphological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of 34 feline facial spindle cell tumors affecting 29 cats, including testing for bovine papillomavirus type 14 (BPV14), the virus causing feline sarcoids. Only five out of 12 tumors previously diagnosed as feline sarcoids based on histomorphology were confirmed by PCR for BPV14, underscoring the importance of comprehensive diagnostic approaches to accurately distinguish between STSs and feline sarcoids. This study shows that most facial spindle cell tumors were compatible with peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) based on positive immunohistochemical staining for Sox10 and other immunohistochemical markers such as GFAP, NSE, and S100. Some of these tumors displayed as multiple independent masses on the face or as erosive and ulcerative lesions without obvious mass formation, an atypical presentation and an important highlight for general practitioners, dermatologists, and oncologists. This study also describes periadnexal whorling of neoplastic cells as a novel histomorphologic finding in feline facial PNSTs and emphasizes Sox10 as a useful complementary immunohistochemical marker for the diagnosis of facial PNST in cats, providing valuable insights for veterinary pathologists.
Keywords: Sox10; facial; feline; immunohistochemistry; oncology; peripheral nerve sheath tumor; sarcoid; skin; soft tissue sarcoma; soft tissue tumor.