Canine Synovial Myxoma

Abstract

This report describes the signalment, clinical findings, gross appearance, histological and immunohistochemical characteristics, and behavior of 39 cases of canine synovial myxoma. Large-breed middle-aged dogs—especially, Doberman Pinschers and Labrador Retrievers—were most commonly affected. The stifle and digit were the most common sites. Grossly, the tumors were composed of gelatinous nodules that often filled the joint cavity and exuded viscous fluid on cut section. In 12 cases (31%), radiographic bony lysis or grossly invasive growth was noted clinically. Histologically, the nodules were sparsely cellular and composed of stellate to spindle cells suspended in an abundant myxomatous matrix. By immunohistochemistry, the cells were positive for vimentin, heat shock protein 25, and cadherin 11 and negative for cytokeratin and S100 protein; some cells (20–40%) were positive for CD18. Affected dogs had long survival times (average, 2.5 years), even with incomplete excision of the tumor. Three cases had local recurrence, but none metastasized or directly resulted in death. Canine synovial myxoma is a histologically distinctive tumor with a good prognosis.