Malignant Leydig cell tumor in dogs: two cases and a review of the literature

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2019 Jul;31(4):557-561. doi: 10.1177/1040638719854791. Epub 2019 Jun 28.

Abstract

Malignant Leydig cell tumor (MLCT) is a rare testicular tumor in dogs. We report herein 2 dogs with MLCT and cutaneous metastasis. Grossly, marked enlargement and distortion of the involved testes were noted; on cut surface, the parenchyma was completely replaced by neoplastic tissue. In addition, these tumors had extensive necrosis and hemorrhage. Case 1 had a rapidly growing cutaneous mass in the left angle of the mouth; the lesion was well-circumscribed and had an indistinct lobular pattern. Case 2 had multiple cutaneous masses in the dorsal neck region, the thoracic back region, and the right hindlimb. Microscopically, the tumor lobules were composed of oval-to-polyhedral cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and resembled testicular tumors. By immunohistochemistry, the neoplastic cells in both the testicular and cutaneous tumors were positive for inhibin-alpha and melan A. The mitotic counts of the primary tumors from cases 1 and 2 were 21 and 11 per 10 high-power fields, respectively. Based on these findings, the cases were diagnosed as MLCT with cutaneous metastasis. Ki-67 expression in the neoplastic cells of the 2 cases was higher than in benign Leydig cell tumors. Our findings may be helpful for the diagnosis of canine MLCT.

Keywords: Ki-67 labeling index; canine; malignant Leydig cell tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dogs
  • Leydig Cell Tumor / diagnosis
  • Leydig Cell Tumor / pathology
  • Leydig Cell Tumor / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Testicular Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / veterinary*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor