Gastric adenocarcinoma in a dog

Stomach cancer and its metastases were detected in an 11-year-old, male Belgian shepherd dog. Clinical history included ulcer ongoing for 3 years, rapid weight loss in 6 months and occasional haematemesis. The dog was euthanized and necropsy revealed a cauliflower-like, soft, easily scattered mass of 5.8 x 4.4 x 1.6 cm size, located at cardia of the stomach. Gastric mucosa was edematous and fundus was thickened. On the other hand, concave, brown-black colored ulcerative foci with irregular edges were observed in fundus. Gastric lymph nodes were large and stiff. Yellowish-white, pinhead sized foci were detected on the cross sections of the lymph nodes, both ovaries and adrenal glands. On the right lateral lobe of the liver, yellowish colored, soft, plain foci of 1.6 x 2.1 x 1.9 cm; 0.9 x 0.8 x 0.9 cm and 0.7 x 1.9 x 1.2 cm size were pointed. Microscopically; large number of tubular or acinar arranged gastric glandular epithelial cells presenting anisocytosis and anisonucleosis were pointed. Mucinous material was observed in the cytoplasms of some of these cells by PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff) and van Gieson stains. Anaplastic gastric glandular epithelial cells were also pointed out in liver, gastric lymph nodes, adrenal glands and ovaries. In immunohistochemical staining of p53 protein and PCNA (Proliferating Cellular Nuclear Antigen) revealed a great number of anaplastic cells especially PCNA positive ones.