Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Metastasis to the Spleen in a Holstein Cow

• Published in: Veterinary pathology Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 230 - 232
• Main Authors: Jeong, W. I, Do, S. H, Sohn, M. H, Yun, H. S, Kwon, O. D, Kim, T. H, Jeong, D. H, Williams, B. H, Jeong, K. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2005
• Subjects: Animals; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - secondary; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - veterinary; case studies; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - diagnosis; dairy cows; Female; histopathology; liver neoplasms; Liver Neoplasms - pathology; Liver Neoplasms - veterinary; Splenic Neoplasms - secondary; Splenic Neoplasms - veterinary; myofibroblast; cows; hepatocellular carcinoma; Alpha-fetoprotein
• ISSN: 0300-9858; 1544-2217
• DOI: 10.1354/vp.42-2-230

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with metastasis to the spleen in a Holstein cow was studied by histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. The tumor was characterized by a pseudoglandular (acinar) pattern with an associated fibrous stroma. Individual cells often had a "hepatoid" appearance but were interspersed with scattered cells exhibiting a clear, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive cytoplasm and small eccentric nuclei. This pattern was present in nodules found in both liver and spleen. Moreover, hepatoid tumor cells were positive for alpha-fetoprotein. Immunohistochemical studies suggest that myofibroblasts were responsible for the production of fibrous septa surrounding the pseudoglandular structures of bovine HCC. In summary, our histologic and immunohistochemical findings support a diagnosis of primary HCC with splenic metastasis. Furthermore, the associated stromal response appears to be of a myofibroblast origin. The primary etiology of bovine HCC and the significance of the intralesional, PAS-positive clear cells remain undetermined.