Apocrine gland adenocarcinoma and pheochromocytoma in a cat

Abstract

A 15-year-old, castrated male domestic shorthair was presented for a recurrent, perineal apocrine gland adenocarcinoma. A right adrenal mass was identified on abdominal radiography and ultrasonography performed as routine staging prior to surgical excision of the perineal tumor. An ultrasonographic-guided biopsy of the adrenal mass was performed and a pheochromocytoma was diagnosed upon histopathology. The perineal and adrenal tumors were removed surgically. The cat developed fatal thromboembolic disease following surgery and was euthanized. This is the third reported case of phenochromocytoma in a cat and is unusual in that two rare tumors were identified in one animal.

Diagnostic Imaging in Canine Pheochromocytoma

“…The reported incidence of pheochromocytoma is rare in dogs, but the actual incidence rate is likely higher as the tumor is most often discovered on post mortem examination. 14, 15 Several imaging modalities have proven useful for visualization of the canine adrenal glands. These include radi-ography, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), nuclear scintigraphy and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.…”

Adrenal Glands

“…One study suggested that adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is more likely if the adrenal glands are asymmetric and the maximal thickness of the smaller gland is less than 5 mm. 69 However, ultrasoundguided aspiration or biopsy of pheochromocytomas was reported in one cat 67 and three dogs 7 without apparent adverse effects. 45,46 Adrenal tumors are sometimes nonfunctional, 47,48 cortisol secreting, 49 or destructive, leading to hypoadrenocorticism, 50 which contributes to the difficulty in diagnosing them.…”

“…65 However, biopsy of pheochromocytomas is not recommended because a hypertensive crisis may result. 7,45,67,68 Hemorrhage, fatal hypertensive crisis, or arrhythmic episodes associated B document persistent hypertension with pheochromocytomas. 7,45,67,68 Hemorrhage, fatal hypertensive crisis, or arrhythmic episodes associated B document persistent hypertension with pheochromocytomas.…”

“…Progesterone-secreting adrenocortical tumors produce clinical signs identical to those of hyperadrenocorticism and may also result in diabetes mellitus. 67,91,92 Clinical signs of polyuria and polydipsia were observed, but hypertension was reported in only one cat. 90 Pheochromocytomas are apparently rare in cats; only three cases have been described in the literature, one of which was an extraadrenal tumor arising from the periadrenal tissue.…”

Anal Sac Gland Carcinoma in a Cat

“…8 Another report of perineal apocrine gland adenocarcinoma in a 15-yearold castrated male domestic shorthair cat does not specify an anal sac location of the tumor. 4 A surgical biopsy from a 15-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat with a history of a firm, painful swelling in the left ventrolateral perianal region was surgically excised and submitted for light microscopic evaluation. The specimen was a firm, irregular, pale tan, subcutaneous mass (1.8 3 1.1 3 1.0 cm) that, on cut section, contained a moderate quantity of viscous fluid material.…”