open access

Vol 77, No 4 (2018)
Case report
Submitted: 2017-10-31
Accepted: 2018-01-28
Published online: 2018-03-12
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Histological and immunohistochemical characterisation of uterine adenocarcinoma in an Asian elephant (Elephas Maximus)

P. Laricchiuta1, V. Russo2, A. Costagliola2, G. Piegari2, M. Capasso1, P. Silvestre1, M. Martano2, O. Paciello2
·
Pubmed: 29569705
·
Folia Morphol 2018;77(4):771-774.
Affiliations
  1. Zoological Garden Lo Zoo di Napoli, Via John Fitzgerald Kennedy 76, 80125 Naples, Italy
  2. Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy

open access

Vol 77, No 4 (2018)
CASE REPORTS
Submitted: 2017-10-31
Accepted: 2018-01-28
Published online: 2018-03-12

Abstract

A 56-year-old nulliparous female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) living at the zoological garden of Naples (Italy), with a clinical history of recurrent colic, was found in agonal state and humane euthanasia was elected. At necropsy the uterine body was moderately increased in size and the lumen was reduced due to a poorly demarcated and infiltrative neoplasm. Furthermore, multiple, whitish, firm nodules were present in both lungs. Histological examination of the uterine
mass revealed epithelial cells arranged in tubular or solid pattern infiltrating the endometrium and the muscular layer. Immunohistochemical examination showed immunoreactivity of neoplastic cells to oestrogen receptors antibody. Pulmonary lesions were histologically and immunohistochemically superimposable to the epithelial uterine neoplasm. A definitive diagnosis of uterine adenocarcinoma with pulmonary metastases was made.

Abstract

A 56-year-old nulliparous female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) living at the zoological garden of Naples (Italy), with a clinical history of recurrent colic, was found in agonal state and humane euthanasia was elected. At necropsy the uterine body was moderately increased in size and the lumen was reduced due to a poorly demarcated and infiltrative neoplasm. Furthermore, multiple, whitish, firm nodules were present in both lungs. Histological examination of the uterine
mass revealed epithelial cells arranged in tubular or solid pattern infiltrating the endometrium and the muscular layer. Immunohistochemical examination showed immunoreactivity of neoplastic cells to oestrogen receptors antibody. Pulmonary lesions were histologically and immunohistochemically superimposable to the epithelial uterine neoplasm. A definitive diagnosis of uterine adenocarcinoma with pulmonary metastases was made.

Get Citation

Keywords

uterine adenocarcinoma, elephant, elephas maximus, uterus

About this article
Title

Histological and immunohistochemical characterisation of uterine adenocarcinoma in an Asian elephant (Elephas Maximus)

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 77, No 4 (2018)

Article type

Case report

Pages

771-774

Published online

2018-03-12

Page views

4666

Article views/downloads

810

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2018.0025

Pubmed

29569705

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2018;77(4):771-774.

Keywords

uterine adenocarcinoma
elephant
elephas maximus
uterus

Authors

P. Laricchiuta
V. Russo
A. Costagliola
G. Piegari
M. Capasso
P. Silvestre
M. Martano
O. Paciello

References (18)
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