Cholangiocarcinoma of intrahepatic bile ducts with disseminated metastases in an African lion (Panthera leo)

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2013 Jun;44(2):509-12. doi: 10.1638/2012-0221R1.1.

Abstract

A cholangiocarcinoma is reported in an 18-yr-old, female African lion (Panthera leo). The primary tumor consisted of multifocal to coalescing, hepatic, white-yellow masses distributed throughout the liver lobes. Metastases were present in regional lymph nodes, peritoneal surface, and lungs. Histologically, the tumor was characterized by a tubular pattern with alcian- and periodic acid-Schiff-positive secretory material in cystic spaces. The neoplastic cells were positive to broad-spectrum cytokeratins. Histochemical and immunohistochemical stains were consistent with bile duct carcinoma. Biliary tumors arising from the gallbladder have been reported in lions. However, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma reported in an African lion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / pathology
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Lions*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Liver Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / veterinary*