Diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma in a dog - a case report

Lymphomas are one of the common cancers diagnosed in dogs that originate from lymphocytes. Lymphomas involving multiple glands and/or multiple organs are called “multicentric” lymphomas. Diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma was diagnosed in a seven year old female Rottweiler that was presented with a history of dysphagia, retching and distended abdomen. Physical examination revealed enlargement of the submandibular, prescapular and popliteal lymph nodes and on abdominal palpation there was marked hepatomegaly and spleenomegaly. Conjunctival mucosa was congested and buphthalmous was noticed with a circumcorneal band formation. Ultrasonography and radiography revealed hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the popliteal lymph node was performed and revealed sheets of lymphoid cells with enlarged nucleus, granular chromatin and few mitotic figures, which were suggestive of lymphoma. One popliteal lymph node was resected and histopathology was suggestive of diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma. This case was diagnosed as stage IV lymphoma in accordance with the WHO staging system, where there was lymphadenopathy of the prescapular, popliteal and submandibular lymph nodes with involvement of liver and spleen. The dog died after three weeks of diagnosing the condition.