Case description

A 7-year-old female neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred with an acute history of lethargy, hyporexia, abdominal distension and weight loss. Nausea and mild pyrexia (39.2 ºC) were also noted. No other pertinent patient history was reported. No traumatic history had occurred and the patient was kept indoors. The primary care veterinarian had identified an abdominal mass with an unclear origin during ultrasound examination.

Clinical examination revealed mild dehydration, abdominal distension and an adequate body condition score (4/9). Body weight was 3.8 kg. A large, firm mass was identified within the cranial abdominal quadrant. The mass did not appear to be painful upon palpation. Peripheral lymph nodes were within normal limits.

Haematology revealed a mild erythrocytosis (51.5%; reference interval [RI] 27–50%), which was deemed likely to be secondary to dehydration. Serum biochemistry was unremarkable, with the exception of mildly decreased alanine aminotransferase (17 U/l; RI 18–84).

Thoracic and abdominal CT was performed, followed by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the abdominal mass. Other procedures performed under general anaesthesia included: premedication with methadone (0.2 mg/kg/IV [Comfortan; Dechra]) and dexmedetomidine (0.003 mg/kg/IV [Dexdomitor; Vetoquinol]); induction with alfaxalone (1–2 mg/kg/IV [Alfaxan; Jurox]); and maintenance with isoflurane (Isoflo; Zoetis) in 100% oxygen, adjusted to clinical effect. A dopamine constant rate infusion (0.003–0.01 mg/kg/min/IV [Sterile Dopamine Concentrate 200 mg/5 ml; Martindale Pharmaceuticals]) was administered to counteract hypotension.

CT revealed a large, 10.5 cm, rounded, apparently well-encapsulated, hypodense mass arising from the left pancreatic lobe. Heterogeneous contrast enhancement was noted within the parts of the mass adjacent to the left pancreatic limb. The remainder of the mass was hypodense and fluid filled (Figure 1). The mass displaced the spleen laterally, the splenic vein dorsally, the stomach craniomedially and the left kidney caudodorsally. No overt infiltration of the surrounding organs was noted. There were two additional smaller masses, which were both up to 2 cm in size, homogeneously hypodense and thin-walled. Both smaller masses arose within the left limb of the pancreas, adjacent to the greater curvature of the stomach. No other pathology was identified.

Figure 1

(a) Post-contrast dorsal view (matrix 512 × 512, window level 76 HU, window width 372 HU, field of view adjusted to patient size, patient in sternal recumbency) showing a large rounded well-encapsulated, hypodense mass arising from the left pancreatic lobe. Craniolateral displacement of the spleen (orange arrow) and the liver (yellow arrow) was noted. (b) Post-contrast transverse view (matrix 512 × 512, window level 76 HU, window width 372 HU, field of view adjusted to patient size, patient in sternal recumbency) showing a large, rounded, well-encapsulated, hypodense mass arising from the left pancreatic lobe. Lateral displacement of the spleen (yellow arrow) was noted

Ultrasound-guided FNA of the larger mass revealed a low-to-moderate nucleated cellularity and adequate cell preservation. An inflammatory cell population was present, comprising of a mixture of small lymphocytes and macrophages with occasional non-degenerate neutrophils. Among the inflammatory cells, a population of slender spindle cells was observed in clusters, as well as individually. These had an oval nucleus with finely stippled chromatin, no visible nucleolus and a moderate to abundant amount of wispy basophilic cytoplasm. The cells displayed mild anisocytosis and anisokaryosis; therefore, it was postulated that they may represent reactive fibroplasia. However, an inflamed mesenchymal neoplasm could not be ruled out (Figure 2).

Figure 2

A population of slender spindle cells (black arrow) was revealed by cytology. Magnification ×100

Surgical resection of the mass was subsequently planned. The same anaesthetic protocol was used as previously described. In addition, an epidural with morphine (0.1 mg/kg) was performed. Cefuroxime (20 mg/kg IV [Zinacef; GlaxoSmithKline]) was administered perioperatively. A ventral midline coeliotomy from the xiphoid to the pubis was performed. Exploration revealed a large multilocular cystic mass within the mid-distal portion of the left limb of the pancreas (Figure 3). The leaves of the greater omentum were adhered to the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the mass. The splenic lymph node was subjectively enlarged, and the body and right limb of the pancreas was oedematous. The distal left pancreatic lobe and large pancreatic mass were bluntly dissected from the splenic blood supply (vein and artery) and greater curvature of the stomach, and resected en bloc. The arterial branch supplying the proximal left limb of the pancreas was preserved. The remaining two smaller cystic pancreatic masses were resected separately due to their close association with the left gastroepiploic artery. Lymphadenectomy of the splenic lymph node was subsequently carried out.

Figure 3

Intraoperative photograph showing the large pancreatic mass within the omental bursa; the greater and lesser omentum adhered to the mass. The distal left pancreatic limb was present (black arrow)

All tissues resected were fixed (10% formal saline) and submitted externally for histopathology (Finn Pathologists; Norfolk). Haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the splenic lymph node were examined and revealed a normal architecture with prominent lymphoid follicles. The subcapsular and medullary sinuses contained quite a large number of mixed cells, and the medullary cords contained increased numbers of plasma cells with some mature lymphocytes. These findings were consistent with lymphoid follicular hyperplasia and drainage response. Haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the left pancreatic limb masses (larger than the two smaller masses) were examined, revealing a proliferating population of spindle cells, which formed broad interweaving streams and multiple lobules with patchy necrosis. Individual cells were described as elongated and spindloid, often long, narrow and strap-like, resembling smooth muscle cells, with an oval-to-cigar-shaped nucleus containing stippled chromatin and several small nucleoli. Cellular and nuclear pleomorphism were moderate, and mitoses were uncommon (one in 10 high power fields [2.37 mm²]). There were some admixed lymphocytes and plasma cells throughout, and areas of necrosis filled with fibrin and red blood cells, with some accompanying macrophages displaying erythrophagocytosis (Figure 4).

Figure 4

(a) Low (×0.5 magnification) and (b) high-power (×40 magnification) view of the spindle cell population. Areas of cavitation and necrosis are seen (black arrow)

Histopathology identified a soft tissue sarcoma. Immunohistochemistry was performed to aid classification of the soft tissue sarcoma. Standard immunohistochemistry protocol based on desmin (Dako Monoclonal Mouse, Anti-Human Desmin, M0760, 1:100) and actin: (Dako Monoclonal Mouse, Anti-Human Smooth Muscle Actin, Clone 1A4, M0851, 1:400). Desmin (smooth and striated muscle) and smooth muscle actin (smooth muscle) staining revealed a widespread moderate-to-strong cytoplasmic labelling of the proliferating cellular population (Figure 5). The combined histological staining characteristics, morphology and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. The histological origin of the mass was uncertain, but both imaging and surgical examination confirmed a pancreatic origin.

Figure 5

Positive cytoplasmic staining with (a) desmin and (b) smooth muscle actin (both ×40 magnification)

Postoperatively, the cat was administered a constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine (5–20 µg/kg/h IV [Dexdomitor; Vetoquinol]) and methadone (0.2 mg/kg q4h IV [Comfortan; Dechra]) as multimodal analgesia. Fluid therapy was also administered (2.5 ml/kg/h IV [Hartmann’s; Vetivex]). The cat was discharged from the hospital 24 h after surgery with buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg q8h sublingually for 10 days). A 2-week follow-up revealed no concerns, and the patient was asymptomatic. At 5 months postoperatively, the owners reported that their cat remained asymptomatic. Clinical examination was unremarkable. Conscious abdominal ultrasound revealed a well-marginated pancreas with a normal echotexture and pancreatic duct. The surrounding mesentery did not reveal any evidence of inflammation.

Discussion

Pancreatic neoplasia is an uncommon pathology in both small animals and humans.^1–5 The most commonly reported type of feline pancreatic neoplasia is an adenocarcinoma of ductular or acinar origin. Other types of tumour are described, including pancreatic lymphoma, pancreatic beta cell tumours (insulinoma), sarcoma, adenoma and several unclassified neoplasia.^1,3–6

Clinical signs in patients with pancreatic neoplasia are typically non-specific, such as anorexia, weight loss, episodes of diarrhoea or vomiting, lethargy, discomfort and abdominal pain.^1,7–9 These clinical signs are similar to those described in the case reported here. Clinical signs reported with pancreatic beta cell tumours tend to differ and are associated with hyperinsulinaemia. They can include weakness, ataxia, collapse, tremors, disorientation and seizures.^1,7–9

Leiomyosarcomas are slow growing and locally invasive malignant lesions that arise from the smooth muscle. Metastatic disease is uncommon and slow to occur.^10,11 Leiomyosarcomas have been reported as intestinal, gastric, renal, uterine, cardiac, urinary, ocular, vulval or dermal in cats. To our knowledge, this is the first case report to describe a primary pancreatic leiomyosarcoma in small animals. Pancreatic leiomyosarcoma is described in the human literature as 0.1% of all pancreatic neoplasia. It is the most commonly described mesenchymal tumour, originating from the walls of the pancreatic vasculature or from the smooth muscle cells of the pancreatic duct.^12–18

Within the human literature, there are no well-established diagnostic imaging criteria or characteristics used for the identification of pancreatic leiomyosarcoma. In the majority of cases, a well-encapsulated, contrast-enhancing cystic lesion often associated with an appearance consistent with internal haemorrhage is identified on CT.^19–21 A similar appearance on CT was noted in the case reported here.

Histopathology and immunohistochemistry are the gold standard tests for the accurate diagnosis of a leiomyosarcoma. Confirmation of a leiomyosarcoma is gained via identification of the presence of a spindle cell neoplasm and positive desmin and smooth muscle actin immunohistochemical labelling.^11–13,21

The treatment for pancreatic leiomyosarcoma in small animals is not yet established. However, the human literature suggests that a surgical approach with complete resection of the primary pancreatic neoplasia should be considered as the gold standard. In some cases, complete remission is described following excision of the mass.^{12,15,17,21–25} According to the human literature, the longest survival period reported following complete tumour resection was more than 20 years.²³ In cases with advanced neoplastic disease (presence of metastatic lesions), a median survival time of 2 years has been reported (range 8 weeks to 3 years).^12,19,26,27

Conclusions

This case report describes a cat with history of abdominal distension, lethargy, hyporexia and weight loss. A pancreatic mass was suspected on abdominal ultrasound and confirmed on CT. Mass resection and concurrent left partial pancreatectomy was carried out. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry identified a leiomyosarcoma. Postoperatively, the cat was clinically asymptomatic. At 5 months postoperatively, the patient remained asymptomatic and there was no evidence of tumour reoccurrence on abdominal ultrasound. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a pancreatic leiomyosarcoma in a cat. Pancreatic leiomyosarcoma should be considered a possible differential diagnosis for cats presenting with a pancreatic mass. Prognosis after surgical resection can be considered to be good. A larger number of cases is needed to evaluate and provide more information on the clinical signs, treatment, outcome and prognosis.