Splenic mast cell tumour and mastocytaemia in a cat: case study and literature review

Authors: Halsey TR, Allan R, Thompson KG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 48, Issue 4, pp 117-121, Aug 2000
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal
Subject Terms: Abdomen, Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Diagnostic procedures, Circulatory system/haematology, Neoplasia, Oncology
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: CASE:  An 11-year-old female domestic shorthaired cat presenting with clinical signs of depression, anorexia, weight loss, fever, anaemia and a mid-abdominal mass was referred for abdominal ultrasound examination.
CLINICAL FINDINGS:  Ultrasonography of the abdomen identified a markedly enlarged spleen. Ultrasound-guided fineneedle aspiration biopsy of the spleen revealed a uniform population of mast cells, 11% of which were observed to have phagocytosed erythrocytes. It is speculated that this may have been a contributing factor in the development of anaemia in this case. Mast cells were detected in a peripheral-blood smear and a diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis (splenic mast cell tumour together with mastocytaemia) was made. This diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by histopathology of the spleen.
CONCLUSION: Splenectomy and treatment with corticosteroids appears to have resulted in remission of clinical signs and anaemia. A reduction in the concentration of mast cells in the peripheral blood had not occurred 6 weeks postsplenectomy, but was evident by 10 months post-splenectomy.
KEY WORDS: Cat, mast cell, spleen, systemic mastocytosis, mastocytaemia, erythrophagocytosis.

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