Pathological and immunohistochemical studies on hemangiosarcoma in tigers Panthera tigris and lions Panthera Leo

Abstract

Five cases of hemangiosarcoma were documented in three tigers and two lions during post-mortem examinations. Grossly, reddish-black coloured elevated masses were noticed with metastasis to the spleen. In one tiger, an enlarged liver with severe oozing of blood on a cut section was noticed without any elevated masses. In a white tiger, the tumour mass was located near the abdominal region. Histopathological features revealed the presence of immature plump endothelial cells forming blood filled irregular vascular spaces. Immunohistochemically, strong immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of neoplastic endothelial cells with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was noticed. No positive reaction was noticed with the proliferative markers, i.e., Ki67 and p53, indicating VEGF is the appropriate marker to diagnose hemangiosarcoma.

Keywords

• big cats
• captive felids
• malignant tumor
• panthera
• vegf.