Choriocarcinoma-like tumor in a potbellied pig (Sus scrofa)

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2014 Jan;26(1):163-6. doi: 10.1177/1040638713515481. Epub 2013 Dec 18.

Abstract

A uterine tumor, with histological and immunohistochemical features consistent with those of human choriocarcinoma, was identified in a 10-year-old unmated female pot-bellied pig (Sus scrofa). The tumor showed biphasic proliferation of cytotrophoblast-like cells and syncytiotrophoblast-like cells. Immunohistochemically, the syncytiotrophoblast-like cells were positive for human chorionic gonadotropin, and both types of cells were positive for cytokeratin and negative for vimentin, octamer-binding transcription factor 4, and α-fetoprotein. Because syncytiotrophoblasts are absent in the normal porcine placenta, the tumor was diagnosed as a choriocarcinoma-like tumor.

Keywords: Choriocarcinoma; potbellied pigs; trophoblast; uterus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Choriocarcinoma / pathology
  • Choriocarcinoma / veterinary*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / pathology*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Neoplasms / veterinary*