Invasive tracheal neoplasia in eight cats: descriptive cases and review of the current literature

Abstract

Case series summary: This case series describes eight cases of invasive tracheal neoplasia that were recognized between the years 1989 and 2014 from a single tertiary referral hospital. This is a disproportionately high number of cases compared with the total number of reports in the current literature.

Relevance and novel information: Invasive tracheal neoplasia is uncommonly diagnosed in domestic cats. Feline tracheal tumors mimic other upper respiratory diseases making diagnosis challenging. Prognosis is guarded to grave, with most cats surviving less than 1 month after beginning treatment. Severe respiratory distress in cats often warrants humane euthanasia. Appropriate clinical suspicion and awareness can expedite diagnoses leading to prolonged survival rates with appropriate treatments. This case series represents the largest number of feline tracheal tumors reported and also describes the first unique histological presentation of what the authors believe to be a poorly differentiated tracheal carcinoma.

Figure 1

Transverse image of cervical ultrasound from case 8. Note the degree of intraluminal invasion of the tumor and loss of airway patency. Arrows indicate residual tracheal lumen. Crosses demarcate boundaries of the tracheal wall

Figure 2

Gross histopathology of the tracheal tumor from case 8. Note the marked expansion of the tracheal wal and surrounding adventitia

Figure 3

Neoplastic cells are replacing the mucosa (asterisk) and extending transmurally to expand the adventitia; islands of neoplastic cells are surrounded by a marked scirrhous response

Figure 4

Tracheal carcinoma. The cytoplasm of neoplastic cells is strongly immunoreactive for cytokeratin