A Case Report on Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in an Indigenous Dog

Abstract

A 12 years-old, male indigenous dog was presented to Shahedul Alam Qaderi Teaching Veterinary Hospital (SAQTVH) in Chattogram, Bangladesh with a large tumour on its right front leg. The histopathological findings of the tumour were highly suggestive of an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). The tumour was surgically removed from the dog. While there had been no recurrence for 5 months, the patient died 5 months post-operatively. The cause of the death and presence of metastasis could not be confirmed as follow-up investigations were declined by the owner. A histopathological study showed poorly differentiated neoplastic mononuclear cells forming nests in an alveolar pattern. Despite that the limited resources prevented myogenin staining for diagnostic confirmation, the well-contained, defined appearance of the tumour supports the diagnosis of ARMS. This report highlights the challenges in diagnosing and treating ARMS in indigenous dogs and emphasizes the need for further research and diagnostic markers to improve detection and management.

Keywords: histopathology; indigenous dog; rhabdomyosarcoma.

FIGURE 1

Mass excised from the right forelimb near elbow joint region.

FIGURE 2

(A and B) Large clusters, nests, cords, and trabeculae of primitive round cells, separated by variably thick fibro‐vascular septa arranged in an alveolar pattern. (C) Small‐to‐intermediate monomorphic cells, spindle‐shaped rhabdomyoblast (RB) and a lot of mitotic figures (MF). (D) Neoplastic tumour cells characterized by small and large mononuclear cells with large round‐to‐ovoid hyperchromatic nuclei and scant cytoplasm were separated by thick or thin fibrous septa and arranged in an alveolar pattern forming cell nests. Hematoxylin and Eosin stain (H&E stain).