ONCOLOGY - Farm Animal Masses Flashcards
What are the differential diagnoses for masses on ruminants?
Neoplasia
Seroma
Haematoma
Abscess
Lymphadenomegaly
What is a seroma?
A seroma is a localised accumulation of seroud fluid that can form after surgery or trauma
Which history questions should you ask when investigating a mass on a ruminant?
Has the patient experienced any recent trauma?
When was the mass first noticed?
What is the growth rate of the mass?
Has the patient had any previous masses?
Is the mass hot or painful?
Has there been any other clinical signs?
Which specific factors should you assess on clinical examination when investigating a ruminant mass?
Full thorough clinical examination
Anatomical site of the lesion
Depth of the lesion
Measure the lesion
Assess for ulceration of the lesion
Mobility of the lesion
Which diagnostic testing can be done for ruminant masses?
Ultrasound
Fine needle aspirate (FNA)
Which factors should you assess when ultrasound scanning a mass?
Echogenicity of the mass
Thickness of the mass wall
Which differential diagnoses are indicated by anechoic to hypoechoic content within the mass on ultrasound?
Seroma
Haematoma
Which differential diagnoses are indicated by mixed echogenicity within the mass on ultrasound?
Abscess
Neoplasia
Organised seroma
Organised haematoma
What is an organised seroma?
When a seroma persists chronically, the body can begin to attempt to resolve the fluid accumulation through fibrin deposition in an attempt to form a more solid structure
What is an organised haematoma?
When a haematoma persists chronically, the body can begin to attempt to resolve the fluid accumulation through fibrin deposition and clot formation in an attempt to form a more solid structure
Which needle should you use for a fine needle aspirate (FNA) in a ruminant?
At least an 18g, 1-1.5 inch needle
What should you assess when performing a fine needle aspirate (FNA) on a mass?
Thickeness of the mass wall when inserting the needle
Consistency of the mass when inserting the needle
Content of the mass
Which differential diagnosis is indicated by blood on fine needle aspirate (FNA)?
Haematoma
Which differential diagnosis is indicated by clear fluid on fine needle aspirate (FNA)?
Seroma
Which differential diagnosis is indicated by pus on fine needle aspirate (FNA)?
Abscess
Which differential diagnoses are indicated if nothing is aspirated on fine needle aspirate (FNA)?
Pus may be too thick to aspirate
Neoplasia
Lymphadenomegaly
How do you treat a seroma?
Seromas should resolve themselves
How do you treat a haematoma?
Haematomas should resolve themselves
How do you treat an abscess?
Lance the abscess at a site that will allow gravity to assist in drainage, using a cross or T-shaped incison to try and keep the incision open to allow for further drainage and flushing with water for approximately three days
How do you treat lymphadenomegaly?
You will need to do further investigations and find out the underlying cause of the lymphadenomegaly
What is enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL)?
Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is a neoplastic disease in cattle caused by oncogenic retrovirus, bovine leukaemia virus
How is enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) transmitted?
Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is transmitted via vertical transmission
What is the typical signalement for enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL)?
Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) presents in cows over 4 years old due to the 4 - 5 year incubation period of bovine leukaemia virus. EBL is also more common in dairy cattle
What are the clinical signs of enzootic bovine leukaemia (EBL)?
Most cases are subclinical
Tumurous lesions
Lymphadenomegaly
Weight loss
Decreased milk yield
Lymphocytosis on haematology
(T/F) Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is a notifiable disease
TRUE.
What is the notifiable disease legislation for enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL)?
If you examine a bovine patient and suspect enzootic bovine leukaemia (EBL), you should report this to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately. You will have to detain the patient on the premises where they are kept until it has been examined by an APHA veterinary inspector. This also applies for carcasses which are suspected to have EBL
Which factors would classify a patient as a ‘suspected animal’ for enzootic bovine leukaemia (EBL)?
Tumurous changes (except for papillomas and haemangiomas) or;
Lymphadenomegaly or;
Lymphocytosis on haematology
What is sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL)?
Sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL) is a neoplastic disease in cattle with an unknown aetiology
What is the typical signalement for sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL)?
Sporadic bovine leukosis (SPL) is typically seen in young cattle (less than 4 years old)
What are the three clinical presentations of sporadic bovine leukosis (SPL)?
Cutaneous sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL)
Thymic sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL)
Multicentric sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL)
Which differential diagnosis presents very similarly to cutaneous sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL)?
Actinobacillosis
How does thymic sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL) present clinically?
Thymic sporadic bovin leukosis (SBL) will cause clinical signs as a result of the space occupying lesion in the mediastinum, resulting in increased respiratory rate, jugular distension and subcutaneous oedema
How do you treat sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL)?
There is no treatment for sporadic bovine leukosis (SBL) and it has a very poor prognosis
What causes squamous cell carcinoma in farm animals?
Squamous cell carcinoma is caused by the chronic exposure of unpigmented skin to UV light, resulting in solar dermatitis which can progress to in situ carcinoma, which can progress to an infiltrative squamous cell carcinoma
What are the most common anatomical sites for squamous cell carcinomas in farm animals?
Ocular squamous cell carcinoma
Peri-ocular squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinomas are often bilateral in ruminants
Which breed of cow is prone to squamous cell carcinomas?
Hereford
How do you treat squamous cell carcinomas in farm animals?
Surgical excision
Enucleation
Cryotherapy
What is enucleation?
Enucleation is the surgical removal of the eye from the orbit
What is a papilloma?
Papillomas are very common in cattle
A papilloma is a benign wart-like growth induced by bovine papilloma virus
How do you treat papillomas?
Papillomas should resolve spontaneously however may require surgical excision depending on their anatomical location
What are granulosa cell tumours?
Granulosa cell tumours are oestrogen or progesterone secreting tumours which arise from the granulosa cells in the ovaries
What is the typical clinical presentation of granulosa cell tumours in cattle?
Granulosa cell tumours present as cows that will not go into oestrus or nymphomania depending on the hormone being produced by the tumour
How do granulosa cell tumours present on rectal ultrasound?
Granulosa cell tumours present as thick walled, honeycomb massess on the ovary
How do you treat granulosa cell tumours?
Culling
What causes ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma?
Jaaksiekte sheep retrovirus
