A Clinicopathological Study of 52 Feline Epulides

Abstract

Abstract. A retrospective study was performed to characterize 52 new cases of feline epulides between 1995 and 2001, with clinical and pathological results classified according to Head's histopathologic criteria for canine epulides. The incidence of the fibromatous, acanthomatous, ossifying, and giant cell epulis were respectively 57.7% (30/52), 7.7% (4/52), 5.8% (3/52), and 28.8% (15/52). Giant cell epulides presented significant differences in clinical behavior compared with the fibromatous type, including rapid growth (P , .0001), presence of ulcerative changes (P , .01), and rapid recurrence after surgery (P , .01) from which euthanasia was judged necessary in 4 cases. Fifteen giant cell epulides were additionally examined in order to characterize the lesion both histochemically and immunohistochemically and to investigate the origin of the multinucleated giant cells (MGCs). Van Gieson staining showed osteoid and woven bone formation in 11 cases. Both the MGCs and a fraction of the mononuclear cells were positive for vimentin, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), a commonly accepted marker for osteoclasts, and the polyclonal antibody receptor activator of nuclear factor kb (RANK), a cytokine leading to the differentiation of osteoclast progenitors into mature osteoclasts in presence of its ligand. MGCs were negative for smooth muscle actin, MIB-1, and factor VIII. The giant cell epulis may be a variant of the fibromatous and ossifying epulis in which extensive ulceration and inflammation results in increased osteoclastic activity. The osteoclast-like giant cells are most likely formed from a monocyte/ macrophage-like osteoclast precursor that differentiates into osteoclasts under the influence of mononuclear osteoblast-like stromal cells.

Feline paediatric oncology: retrospective assessment of 233 tumours from cats up to one year (1993 to 2008)

“…While the WHO classifications list giant cell epulis as a tumour‐like lesion, a recent study suggested it may in fact be a variant of the fibromatous and ossifying epulis. In that study cats with epulides were between 8 months and 20 years old (de Bruijn and others 2007). The feline inductive odontogenic tumour is a rare neoplasm.…”

Clinical and Histologic Features of 26 Canine Peripheral Giant Cell Granulomas (Formerly Giant Cell Epulis)

“…5,14 The variable TRAP reactivity among lesions with numerous, moderate, or few MNGCs is interesting, although the significance of this finding is unknown. We cannot rule out 2 different cells of origin for the MNGCs in these lesions.…”

“…5,8,13,17,18,21,22,25 Although human peripheral giant cell granulomas are generally considered reactive and non-neoplastic, the cause of these lesions is poorly understood. 13,17,18 Six reported cases of canine peripheral giant cell granuloma did not recur after surgical excision.…”

Feline oral cavity lesions diagnosed by histopathology: a 6-year retrospective study in Portugal

“…For this reason, it has been included in this classification. 15,16 Finally, the fibromatous form of POF is the most frequently diagnosed odontogenic tumour in cats. 16 The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of oral diseases in Portuguese cats, over a 6-year period, in order to evaluate the distribution of inflammatory and neoplastic lesions, while simultaneously correlating them with sex, breed and life stage.…”