Anal Sac Gland Carcinoma in 64 Cats in the United Kingdom (1995-2007)

Abstract

Abstract. A retrospective study was performed to characterize 64 cases of anal sac gland carcinoma (ASGC) in cats. All ASGCs diagnosed between 1995 and 2007 at a private diagnostic laboratory in the UK were reviewed. Apocrine gland origin was confirmed in a subset of these tumors by immunohistochemistry and the use of the glandular cytokeratin antibody (CAM 5.2). Associated clinical, gross, and histologic features were compared with those of canine ASGC. Anal sac gland carcinoma accounted for 0.5% of all feline skin neoplasms. Thirty-nine of the cats with ASGC were female, with a female : male ratio of 1.56. Fifty-two (81.1%) of the 64 tumors were in Domestic Shorthair cats, 5 (7.8%) in Siamese, 3 (4.8%) in Domestic Longhair, 2 (3.1%) in Burmese, and 1 (1.6%) each in a Birman and a Persian cat. Significant differences in prevalence of ASGC among breeds were not detected. Cats ranged in age from 6 to 17 years (median and mean age, 12 years). More than three quarters of the affected cats for which postsurgical outcome was known were euthanatized or died as a direct consequence of the neoplasm, with a median survival of 3 months. Survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 19 and 0%, respectively.

Evaluation of an anal sac adenocarcinoma tumor in a Spitz dog

“…These structures were accompanied by a thin stroma consisting of capillaries and connective tissue, tumor cells were undifferentiated, multilobulated and polygonal, pleomorphism and hyperchromatic nuclei and invasive to surrounding glandular tissues, the primary tumor most commonly appeared as a deep-seated, firm, nodular perianal mass ventrolateral to the anus and involving, or within close proximity to the anal sac. Tumors were unilateral and typically [1][2][3] cm in diameter (range, 0.5-3 cm). …”

“…Anal sac adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor originated from apocrine gland epitheliums [1][2][3] . The tumor is seen between [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] years old in different breeds of dogs.…”

“…The tumor is seen between [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] years old in different breeds of dogs. It is more frequently seen on neutered female and castrated male [4][5][6] . The tumor is metastasized (90%) to regional lymph nodes and 40% to viscera [7] .…”

“…The tumor is metastasized (90%) to regional lymph nodes and 40% to viscera [7] . The most affected breeds are English Cocker Spaniel, English springer spaniel, German Shepherds and subsequently Golden Retriever and Boxer [4] . Anal tumors of the anal sacs are uncommon in dogs and very rare in cats [8] .…”

“…Apocrine gland adenocarcinoma of the anal sacs occurs at relatively low frequency in the dog, representing 17% of all perianal tumors and 2% of all skin tumors [11][12][13] . Apocrine gland adenocarcinoma is the most common malignancy in this area in older female dog [4,5,14] . As with most tumors in animals and people, we do not know what causes them to occur.…”