Feline uterine carcinosarcoma infiltrated with osteoclast-like giant cells

J Vet Med Sci. 2022 Nov 18;84(12):1579-1584. doi: 10.1292/jvms.22-0195. Epub 2022 Oct 20.

Abstract

A 12-year-old female Himalayan cat underwent an ovariohysterectomy to remove an intra-abdominal mass. Histologic examination using immunohistochemical staining revealed that the mass was comprised of epithelial and mesenchymal components. Within the lesion, multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) were observed diffusely. MGCs were positive for vimentin and Iba-1 and negative for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and CD204. In addition, MGCs were negative for Ki-67, indicating nonneoplastic cells. Osteoclast-like MGC (OLMGC) phenotype with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positivity was also seen. These findings suggested that the uterine tumor was carcinosarcoma with OLMGCs. Uterine tumors in humans, such as leiomyosarcoma and carcinosarcoma, with OLMGC infiltration, are well-known pathologic entities; however, they are rare in animals and to our knowledge, have not been previously reported in cats.

Keywords: carcinosarcoma; feline; osteoclasts; ovariohysterectomy; uterine tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinosarcoma* / pathology
  • Carcinosarcoma* / veterinary
  • Cat Diseases* / pathology
  • Cat Diseases* / surgery
  • Cats
  • Female
  • Giant Cells / pathology
  • Leiomyosarcoma* / pathology
  • Leiomyosarcoma* / veterinary
  • Osteoclasts
  • Uterine Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Uterine Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Uterine Neoplasms* / veterinary