Fibrosarcoma in a White-Tailed Deer

Abstract

A large, rapidly growing subcutaneous fibrosarcoma was observed on the head of an aged male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Frederick County, Maryland. Although there was no evidence of distant metastasis, the large neoplastic mass had extensively invaded the osseous supraorbital process, and had several small satellite nodules nearby.

Fibrosarcoma in a Père David's Deer

“…Arthropod transmission has not been proven [ 11. A rapidly growing subcutaneous fibrosarcoma with local invasion has been reported in an aged white-tailed deer, but no viral etiology was confirmed [2]. Metastatic fibroblastomas were found in the lungs of a white-tailed deer with cutaneous fibromatosis.…”

Soft tissue sarcomas in 2 zoo-housed Alaskan moose

“…3,12,16 The gross, clinical, and histologic features of STS in these moose closely resemble STS described in other species. 2,5,9,10,13,14 STS is a broad categorization for neoplasms that arise from mesenchymal soft tissues; determining the precise cell of origin can be challenging. As a result, establishing unique IHC expression profiles to classify STS is challenging, making interpretation of IHC results difficult in animals.…”

“…2,15 There are reports of the gross and histologic features of STS, including fibrosarcoma and myxofibrosarcoma in cervids; however, the prognoses of these cases were poor, resulting in euthanasia of the individuals with no discussion of treatment or management. 5,9,10 Treatment and management were attempted in case 1, including surgical excision of the mass and adjunctive electrochemotherapy, which was well-tolerated. Unfortunately, the moose's health declined severely several weeks after receiving chemotherapy, therefore long-term monitoring for metastasis and recurrence was not possible; however, local recurrence was not noted on autopsy.…”

“…2,13 Histologic characteristics of STS are well-described, but highly variable depending on the classification of the STS. 4,5,8,9,10 However, several defining features of STS have been described, including spindle-shaped cells, with indistinct cytoplasmic borders arranged in interwoven streaming sheets, and ovoid nuclei. These histologic features were present in both cases.…”

“…8 The histopathologic findings of the STS in these cases, with supportive evidence from IHC and lack of detection of papillomavirus, allowed definitive diagnosis of STS in both cases. 5,9,10…”