J Vet Sci.  2008 Sep;9(3):331-333. 10.4142/jvs.2008.9.3.331.

Malignant mixed tumor in the salivary gland of a cat

• Kim H
• Nakaichi M
• Itamoto K
• Taura Y

• KMID: 1718588
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2008.9.3.331

Abstract

The presence of a malignant mixed tumor, also known as a carcinosarcoma, in the salivary gland is very rare. Such mors, which are typically aggressive, are characterized by the presence of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. 9-year-old neutered female domestic short-haired cat presented with swelling in the right mandibular lesion that had rapidly enlarged over the previous 3 weeks. Physical examination revealed a large, fluctuated and painless subcutaneous swelling that was associated with a firm mass. Radiographs of the head revealed a soft-tissue density that involved faint circular calcific opacity. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed that the peripheral capsulated cystic area had a contrast enhanced region without bone lysis. The cat received a total excision of the mass and postoperative radiotherapy. Histopathological analysis of the mass revealed that it was a malignant mixed tumor. Metastasis to the lung was discovered 7 weeks later, at which time treatment was stopped.

Keyword

carcinosarcoma; cat; computed tomography; malignant mixed tumor; salivary gland

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma/pathology/surgery/*veterinary
Animals
Cat Diseases/*pathology/*radiography
Cats
Chondrosarcoma/pathology/surgery/*veterinary
Fatal Outcome
Female
Lung/pathology/radiography
Radiography, Thoracic/veterinary
Salivary Gland Neoplasms/pathology/radiography/*veterinary

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Radiographic images of the head showing a large tissue-dense mass (A) with faint circular calcific opacity (B).

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  Fig. 2 Post-contrast CT images showing enlargement of the right submandibular gland with a peripheral capsulated cystic area (A: tympanic bulla level), and contrast enhanced region (B: occipital bone level, C: first cervical vertebra level) that was believed to be a tumor.

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  Fig. 3 Adenocarcinomatous (A) and chondrosarcomatous (B) elements were observed in the specimen. H&E stain. ×400.

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  Fig. 4 Thoracic radiographs showed a diffuse increase in the distribution of pulmonary interstitial densities and a poorly circumscribed-nodular mass in the caudodorsal lung lobe (arrow), suggesting lung metastasis of the tumor (A: ventrodorsal view, B: lateral view).

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