Recurrent sebaceous carcinoma in an African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

J Vet Med Sci. 2010 Jul;72(7):947-9. doi: 10.1292/jvms.09-0521. Epub 2010 Mar 9.

Abstract

A 1.5-year-old intact male African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was presented with a firm, non-movable subcutaneous mass on ventral chest area. Microscopically, the tumor was un-encapsulated, invasive up to the muscle layer, and composed of highly pleomorphic polygonal cells arranged in variably-sized lobules. The neoplastic cells had abundant cytoplasm with vacuolation and a large pleomorphic nucleus with prominent nucleoli. Mitotic figures were frequently observed with atypical mitoses. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were strongly positive for cytokeratin, but negative for vimentin. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of sebaceous carcinoma was made. Three months after the surgery, a recurrent mass was found at the surgical site. On necropsy, the mass has penetrated the underlying intercostal musculature, without metastasis to distant organs. This is the first report of a sebaceous carcinoma in an African hedgehog.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Sebaceous / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma, Sebaceous / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Autopsy / methods
  • Autopsy / veterinary
  • Cytoplasm / pathology
  • Hedgehogs
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / veterinary
  • Skin / pathology
  • Vacuoles / pathology