Feline giant-cell pleomorphic sarcoma: cytologic, histologic and immunohistochemical characterization

Objectives This study aimed to characterize the cytologic, pathologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) aspects of feline giant-cell sarcoma. Methods Biopsy and necropsy reports from the Department of Veterinary Pathology were retrieved, and 13 cases of pleomorphic sarcoma (PS) were selected according to the established epidemiologic, pathologic and IHC criteria. All samples were fixed in 10% formalin, routinely processed for histology, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Samples also underwent IHC testing for vimentin, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), desmin, actin and S-100. Results The mean age of the affected cats was 9.5 years, and females were over-represented. Most neoplasms were observed in the flank, lateral thorax, limbs and interscapular region, and were >2 cm in diameter. Cytology analysis revealed highly cellular preparations with three distinct populations (spindle cells, small round cells and multinucleated giant cells) in a dense eosinophilic stroma. Histologically, PS was composed of a combination of these three populations. IHC labeling for vimentin and Iba-1 was strongly positive for spindle cells and multinucleated giant cells, respectively. Desmin/actin showed variable labeling among the samples. S-100 was negative in all samples. Conclusions and relevance PS is a neoplasm of mesenchymal origin, also known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The predominant subtype in this study that affected the cats was the giant-cell type, characterized by the presence of multinucleated giant cells among spindle-shaped cells. These findings are similar to those described in human patients; thus, a comparison between the neoplasms seen in these species might be useful, and the knowledge of biologic behavior and overall treatment approach for humans could be extrapolated to cats.

Undifferentiated pleomorphic retroperitoneal sarcoma: A case report

Introduction. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, previously known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma, is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults, and retroperitoneum is the second most common location. Case Report. We present a case of a 60-year-old female patient with a painless mass in the left hemiabdomen. Computed tomography revealed a well defined retroperitoneal mass, while magnetic resonance showed a lobulated hypointense mass on T1-weighted and heterogeneous on T2-weighted images 180 x 230 x 250 mm in size, with intense peripheral enhancement. The patient underwent complete tumor excision, as well as reoperation after local recurrence. After histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the operating material, the diagnosis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (giant cell type) was made. Conclusion. Radiological imaging has a limited diagnostic accuracy in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas and definitive diagnosis relies on histopathological confirmation.