Mammary Gland Neoplasia in the Cow - Veterinary Pathology

504 POVEY/OSBORNE
swollen to the size of that of a newly-calved heavy milker, contrasted markedly
with the general emaciation. Palpation indicated a firmer than usual consistency of
all quarters, but there was a softer area in the region of the supramammary lymph
nodes. The subcutaneous abdominal (‘milk’) veins were engorged. No abnormality
was detected on rectal examination.
Among clinical pathological findings were a few fluke eggs in the faeces,
a mild anaemia, and serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) activity of
124 pg pyruvate/ml (normal 56 5 148). S. progenes was isolated from the milk of all
quarters but in low numbers except for the left hind from which a moderate
growth was obtained. Cultures for yeasts were negative, as were smears for acidfast
organisms. Treatment with 1 g of oxytetracycline ijv was instituted for 4 days
with a lowering of temperature to 101.5’F and of pulse, and improvement of
appetite. On the morning of the 5th day, however, the cow was found ‘down’ and
in view of its state euthanasia was performed.
Postmortal Findings
The peritoneal cavity contained some clear transudate. The liver had typical
lesions of chronic fascioliasis and numerous young and adult Fasciola hepatica. The
mammary gland weighed approximately 20 kg. It was firm to hard but somewhat
softer dorso-posteriorly. A large tumour (approx. 45 x 40 x 25 cm dorso-ventrally)
occupied the major part of the udder. Peripherally there were large lobules of
yellow-white, firm, relatively homogeneous tissue with necrosis which grew progressively
more severe towards the centre, and with massive haemorrhage in the
actual centre, yielding not less than 2 litres of blood and clots. There was a sharp
demarcation between the tumour and normal mammary tissue. The forequarters
were compressed rather more than the hind-quarters, the left of which had some
haemorrhage and oedema. The supramammary lymph nodes were oedematous.
No metastasis of the tumour was found.
Histopathology
Specimens for histology were taken from the apparently more normal tissue
of each of the mammary quarters and from the tumour, at its periphery adjacent to
the sub-pelvic fascia, in 1 area where it abutted onto the more normal mammary
tissue, and from its more central friable part. Blocks of tissue were fixed for 24 h
in 5% formol-saline solution and paraffin-embedded sections werc cut and stained
by haematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s green trichrome, Gomori’s reticulin, Ziehl-
Neelsen’s, Gram’s, periodic acid-Schiff, and Grocott’s methods. Some material
was fixed in cold acetone and stained for alkaline phosphatase by GOMORI’S
method20.
Fig. I. Typical area of tumour showing pleomorphism of cells with mitotic figure,
and several bi- and tri-nucleate forms. Masson’s green trichrome.
Fig. 2. Sub-peripheral area of tumour where there are numerous multinucleate
giant cells, many of which are vacuolated with some containing apparently
phagocytosed material. Masson’s green trichrome.
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