Caprine Genital Leiomyosarcoma

Abstract

An aged Saanen doe was euthanized following repeated severe hemorrhage from the vulva. Necropsy examination revealed mural thickening of tubular genitalia with firm, protruding intralumenal masses containing blood-filled cavitations, and effacement of normal cervical architecture. Histologically, uterine and cervical masses comprised a variably dense population of mildly pleomorphic spindle cells forming interlacing streams supported by variably dense collagenous stroma. Immunoperoxidase staining of neoplastic cells was positive for muscle-specific actin, supporting the diagnosis of low-grade leiomyosarcoma. Months later, the doe's twin was likewise euthanized due to persistent bleeding from the vulva associated with a large vulvar mass having histopathologic features similar to those of the previous case. The clinical, gross, and histologic findings are similar to five cases of caprine genital leiomyosarcoma identified in retrospectively analyzed case material. Analysis of caprine tumor accessions over 20 years demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of genital leiomyosarcoma within the Saanen breed.