Surgical Excision of an Extratesticular Anaplastic Carcinoma in a Variable Kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana)

Abstract

An adult male variable kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana) was presented for examination due to a three-week history of anorexia and obvious body deformities. On objective examination the animal was in poor condition, and on palpation, an intracoelomic mass was noted approximately in the distal third of the body, cranial to the cloaca. In agreement with the owner, an exploratory celiotomy was planned and performed and the mass was surgically removed. Modified Wright–Giemsa stain impression smears were taken, which were consistent with an undifferentiated tumour. Histological examination revealed the presence of a solid proliferation composed of highly tubular anaplastic cells and abundant multinucleated cells. The neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), but not for vimentin. Periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining revealed the presence of large granular cells, which can be identified as the characteristic cells of the efferent ducts. Based on the morphological and immunohistochemical findings, the diagnosis of extratesticular anaplastic carcinoma was made. To the authors’ knowledge, this type of neoplasm has never been reported in the male genital apparatus of snakes.