Abstract
BackgroundReports of neoplasms in Panthera species are increasing, but they are still an uncommon cause of disease and death in captive wild felids. The presence of two or more primary tumor in large felids is rarely reported, and there are no documented cases of ocular melanoma and mammary mucinous carcinoma in African lions.Case presentationAn ocular melanoma and a mammary mucinous carcinoma are described in an African lion (Panthera leo). The first tumour was histologically characterized by the presence of epithelioid and fusiform melanocytes, while the latter was composed of mucus-producing cells with an epithelial phenotype that contained periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian blue staining mucins. Metastases of both tumor were identified in various organs and indirect immunohistochemistry was used to characterize them. Peribiliary cysts were observed in the liver.ConclusionsThis is the first description of these tumor in African lions.
Highlights
Reports of neoplasms in Panthera species are increasing, but they are still an uncommon cause of disease and death in captive wild felids
This is the first description of these tumor in African lions
Peribiliary cysts were recognized in African lions [11,12]
Summary
Reports of neoplasms in Panthera species are increasing, due to the increase in longevity of captive animals as well as the increased use of ultrasound, routine physical examinations, complete blood counts, blood chemistries, diagnostic biopsies and necropsies. Neoplastic cells of the ocular neoplasm expressed Melan A and vimentin, to those observed in domestic felines’ melanomas [25]. This is similar to those observed in humans [37] and domestic felines, where luminal vimentin-positive epitelial cells were described [30] This event is a consequence of neoplastic progression participating in the metastatic cascade and indicating a poor prognosis [38,39,40]. The most plausible explanations for two different tumor in the same or separate organs are clonal variants of the same neoplasm, metastatic populations from separate tissue types of a mixed tumor, or metastases of two completely separate tumor In this lioness, the tumor in her liver and lungs were grossly similar and required histological and immunohistochemical examination for better characterization. Melan A indirect immunohistochemistry was able to correctly differentiate between metastatic melanoma and mammary cell populations
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