Case summary
A 14-year-old male neutered domestic mediumhair cat presented with a 4 month
history of inappetence and weight loss. Pertinent abnormalities on
haematology and biochemistry included a mild microcytic regenerative anaemia
(packed cell volume [PCV] 24% [reference interval (RI) 30–45%], mean cell
volume 30.8 fl [RI 40–45 fl], absolute reticulocyte count 326.8 ×
10
12
) and increased alkaline phosphatase activity (76 IU/l;
RI <50 IU/l). Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan revealed masses in the
transverse colon (2.0 cm × 1.2 cm) and right medial liver lobe (5.0 cm
diameter). Thoracic radiographs were unremarkable. Right medial liver lobe
resection and colectomy were performed. Immunohistochemistry was positive
for S-100 protein, vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein, very weakly
positive for c-kit and negative for muscle-specific actin and CD18,
consistent with a colonic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST)
with a hepatic metastasis. Postoperative treatment with metronomic
cyclophosphamide was well tolerated. Eighteen months postoperatively the cat
re-presented after 3 days of progressive lethargy and inappetence.
Haematology revealed a marked non- or pre-regenerative anaemia (PCV 10%).
Coagulation times were prolonged (prothrombin time 39 s [RI 15–22 s] and
activated partial thromboplastin time >300 s [RI 65–119 s]). Abdominal
ultrasound identified multiple renal and hepatic nodules. Euthanasia was
performed and post-mortem examination confirmed metastasis of the MPNST.
Relevance and novel information
This report describes the treatment of a metastatic colonic peripheral nerve
sheath tumour in a cat. Feline visceral MPNSTs are rare and little is known
about prognosis or optimal treatment.