Undifferentiated tumor in the ovary of a corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata)

A 6‐year‐old intact female corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata) was presented with a 3‐week history of anorexia. Coelomic radiographs revealed a 9 × 4 cm soft tissue opacity suggestive of a right ovarian enlargement. The mass (9 × 5 × 4 cm) was surgically removed, and multiple smears from tissue sect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary clinical pathology 2006-03, Vol.35 (1), p.95-100
Main Authors: Petterino, C, Bedin, M, Podesta, G, Ratto, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal diseases
Animals
Carcinoma
Carcinoma - diagnosis
Carcinoma - pathology
Carcinoma - veterinary
case studies
cell biology
cytology
differential staining
disease diagnosis
Elaphe
Elaphe guttata guttata
Female
females
histopathology
immunohistochemistry
neoplasia
ovarian neoplasms
Ovarian Neoplasms - diagnosis
Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology
Ovarian Neoplasms - veterinary
ovaries
ovary
pets
snake
Snakes
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Summary:A 6‐year‐old intact female corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata) was presented with a 3‐week history of anorexia. Coelomic radiographs revealed a 9 × 4 cm soft tissue opacity suggestive of a right ovarian enlargement. The mass (9 × 5 × 4 cm) was surgically removed, and multiple smears from tissue sections were stained with Diff‐Quik. Multiple tissue samples from the mass were collected and fixed in formalin. Cytologic specimens were moderately cellular and contained light pink amorphous background material. The cells were primarily spindle‐shaped with moderate to marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis. Cells sometimes were round to polygonal, and rarely were arranged in small clusters. Macrophages occasionally were observed. Histologic specimens consisted of a highly cellular mass composed of pleomorphic, spindle‐shaped cells and, occasionally, round to polygonal cells arranged in irregular fascicles. The neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), smooth muscle actin, and skeletal muscle actin, but did not stain for vimentin or desmin. On the basis of the morphologic and immunohistochemical results, a diagnosis of ovarian undifferentiated carcinoma was made. In this report, we describe the challenges of using immunohistochemistry to diagnose this uncommon type of tumor in reptiles.
ISSN:0275-6382
1939-165X
DOI:10.1111/j.1939-165X.2006.tb00095.x