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. 2015 Mar;52(2):388-92.
doi: 10.1177/0300985814537531. Epub 2014 Jun 9.

Primary intestinal and vertebral chordomas in laboratory zebrafish (Danio rerio)

T K Cooper  1 , K N Murray  2 , S Spagnoli  3 , J M Spitsbergen  4
Affiliations

Primary intestinal and vertebral chordomas in laboratory zebrafish (Danio rerio)

T K Cooper et al. Vet Pathol. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

Chordomas are uncommon neoplasms arising from notochord remnants, most commonly occurring in the axial skeleton. Extraskeletal soft tissue chordomas are rare primary tumors, and primary alimentary tract chordomas have not been reported. Herein we report 24 cases of spontaneous primary intestinal chordomas in zebrafish, as well as 9 spontaneous vertebral chordomas. Both intestinal and vertebral tumors showed invasive behavior, although more commonly in the latter. In all cases of primary intestinal chordomas, there was no axial or peripheral skeletal or other nonvisceral involvement. Although uncommon, intestinal chordomas represent a unique background lesion in aged zebrafish.

Keywords: chordomas; intestinal; vertebral; zebrafish.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Spinal column, sagittal section; zebrafish. Normal notochord. HE.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Intestinal chordoma; zebrafish. Expansile and polypoid multilobular encapsulated tumor within the lamina propria. HE.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Intestinal chordomas; zebrafish. Multiple tumor nodules are present throughout the intestinal wall. HE.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Intestinal chordoma; zebrafish. Tumor contains numerous highly vacuolated (physaliphorous) cells in a pale eosinophilic amorphous hyaline matrix. HE.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Intestinal chordoma; zebrafish. The tumor matrix is Alcian blue-positive and hyaluronidase-resistant. Alcian blue (pH 2.5) and periodic acid Schiff with hyaluronidase digestion.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Pancreatic chordoma; zebrafish. Multiple tumor nodules are present in the exocrine pancreas. HE.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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