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Case Reports
. 2012 Sep 25:8:176.
doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-176.

Ocular melanoma and mammary mucinous carcinoma in an African lion

Didier Q Cagnini  1 , Breno S Salgado, Juliana L Linardi, Fabrizio Grandi, Rafael M Rocha, Noeme S Rocha, Carlos R Teixeira, Fabio Del Piero, Julio L Sequeira
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ocular melanoma and mammary mucinous carcinoma in an African lion

Didier Q Cagnini et al. BMC Vet Res. .

Abstract

Background: Reports of neoplasms in Panthera species are increasing, but they are still an uncommon cause of disease and death in captive wild felids. The presence of two or more primary tumor in large felids is rarely reported, and there are no documented cases of ocular melanoma and mammary mucinous carcinoma in African lions.

Case presentation: An ocular melanoma and a mammary mucinous carcinoma are described in an African lion (Panthera leo). The first tumour was histologically characterized by the presence of epithelioid and fusiform melanocytes, while the latter was composed of mucus-producing cells with an epithelial phenotype that contained periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian blue staining mucins. Metastases of both tumor were identified in various organs and indirect immunohistochemistry was used to characterize them. Peribiliary cysts were observed in the liver.

Conclusions: This is the first description of these tumor in African lions.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cystic (arrow) and solid formations (arrowheads) can be observed in the liver.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Basophilic to amphophilic extracellular mucus and slightly eosinophilic intracellular mucus can be observed in the mammary neoplasm. Hematoxylin and eosin (bar = 50 μm).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Melanoma cells expressing vimentin obliterating the liver architecture. DAB indirect immunohistochemistry, Harris hematoxylin counterstain (bar = 50 μm).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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