From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-03-24 22:43:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Geezer
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "MARY" <sirk6@e...> wrote:
> Below please see biopsy on Geez.
>
> Microscopic Description:
>
> The specimens are characterized by poorly demarcated and
nonencapsulated
> proliferation of atypical ovoid to spindloid cells. These cells are
> proliferating as solid sheets in a disorganized pattern and are
notably
> invasive into underlying connective tissue structures. Individual
cells are
> characterized by moderate eosinophilic cytoplasm and moderately
pleomorphic
> euchromatic nuclei. There is less than one mitotic figure per high
power
> field, although mitotic figures are found within the mass.
>
> Diagnosis:
>
> Malignant neoplasia. Poorly differentiated. Undetermined histogenic
origin.
>
> Comments:
>
> Due to the poorly differentiated nature of the neoplasm, definite
histogenic
> origin is uncertain. Based on cytomorphological features, poorly
> differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, or poorly differentiated
malignant
> amelanotic melanoma should be considered.
>
> Based on the information above, how long can we expect to have with
Geez? Is
> he in any pain now or will he be later? What can we expect? Doc
could not
> really give me an answer to these questions. Hoping someone here
can.
Dear Mary -
No one can give you an answer, because the type of tumor has not been
identified. If we know what type of tumor it is (or as this
pathologist says, the histogenic origin), then we could say, because
each tumor type has a characteristic behavior and prognosis.
One prolbem here, is that I don't see where the tumor was located.
Going just on this report, I would probably have to add lymphoma to
the list, as it would also fit this cellular description.
I would be happy to look at this case if your vet will call the lab
and have them forward the material to me. (I work with a lot of the
labs on ferret cases.) I will need a slide and the paraffin block of
the tumor that it was taken from. With poorly differntiated tumors,
often special tests (called immunohistochemical tests) are run to
identify markers for various cell types. Very few labs run these, as
they are expensive, and most labls simply look at the slide and make
their best educated guess.
I have a number of immunohistochemical tests at my disposal, and if I
can get the appropriate material, perhaps I can make a more
definitive diagnosis, and then, be able to answer your question.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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