Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hypercalcemia and parathyroid hormone-related peptide expression in a dog with thyroid carcinoma and histiocytic sarcoma.
- Journal:
- Veterinary clinical pathology
- Year:
- 2015
- Authors:
- Scruggs, Jennifer L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9.5-year-old male Walker Hound was brought in because he was getting weaker, eating less than usual, and losing weight. Tests showed he had several masses in his abdomen and chest, along with fluid buildup in his belly. Further examination confirmed he had a type of cancer called histiocytic sarcoma, and lab results indicated he had high levels of calcium in his blood due to a substance released by his thyroid cancer. After he was euthanized, a thorough examination revealed he had both thyroid cancer and widespread histiocytic sarcoma. This case suggests that the high calcium levels were likely caused by the thyroid cancer releasing a specific protein.
Abstract
A 9.5-year-old, male castrated Walker Hound was presented for evaluation of progressive weakness, anorexia, and weight loss. Imaging revealed multiple abdominal and thoracic masses and ascites; fine-needle aspirates of mesenteric and splenic masses confirmed malignancy, most likely histiocytic sarcoma. Laboratory analyses revealed increased ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTH-rP) concentrations, and concurrent low-normal parathyroid hormone concentration, consistent with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. Necropsy was performed after euthanasia. The dog had disseminated histiocytic sarcoma, including sarcomatosis, as well as bilateral thyroid carcinoma. PTH-rP immunostaining was positive in the thyroid carcinoma but negative in the histiocytic neoplasm. These results suggest that thyroid carcinoma-associated hypercalcemia can be caused by tumor secretion of PTH-rP.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25707928/