Papillary adenocarcinoma of sweat gland with multiorgan metastases in lion (Panthera leopersica)

A big tumorous mass about 6 inches in diameter was observed on the ventral aspect of neck in a 23 years old lion. Histopathological examination of the biopsy sample revealed it to be adenocarcinoma involving sweat gland. The lion died after 10 days. Postmortem examination followed by histopathology of various organs revealed the neoplastic growth forming the acinar pattern with papillary projections not only in the dermis but also in intercostals skeletal muscles, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and intestinal wall. The nuclei of neoplastic cells were hyperchromatic and bizarre shaped with increased nucleus:cytoplasm ratio and had numerous mitotic figures. The neoplastic cells were also seen as emboli in blood vessels of these organs. The cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells was periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive. The pancytokeratin and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immune staining were positive in the neoplastic cells. Based on these observations the case was diagnosed as papillary adenocarcinoma of highly anaplastic grade with metastases.