Ganglioneuroblastoma in a cat: a rare neoplasm treated with electrochemotherapy

Vet J. 2008 Nov;178(2):291-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.08.014. Epub 2007 Oct 1.

Abstract

An 8-year-old male castrated cat was referred for sudden onset of lameness. Physical examination revealed a 1x2x1cm mass originating from a footpad of the right hind leg. A diagnosis of ganglioneuroblastoma was suggested by the tumour appearance following histopathological staining with haematoxylin and eosin and haematoxylin/van Gieson. Immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neurofilament and S100 further confirmed the diagnosis. The staging process did not indicate metastatic spread. The cat was treated with three sessions of electrochemotherapy (ECT) 1 week apart, following local injection of bleomycin. The tumour had completely regressed within 1 week of the third ECT application and remained in remission for 402 days at which time a small recurrence was noted. The animal was given a further session of ECT using intra-lesional cisplatin and again went into remission. It remained tumour free at 450 days. Electrochemotherapy is considered a safe and effective treatment for localised neoplasms of cats and dogs and warrants further investigation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Bleomycin / therapeutic use
  • Cat Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cat Diseases / pathology
  • Cats
  • Electrochemotherapy / veterinary*
  • Ganglioneuroblastoma / drug therapy
  • Ganglioneuroblastoma / pathology
  • Ganglioneuroblastoma / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary*

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Bleomycin