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Neuroendocrine tumors

Carcinoids, the primary neuroendocrine tumor of the liver, are uncommon but have been reported in both the dog and the cat. Cytologically, they display the classic neuroendocrine morphology of a naked-nuclei appearance; intact nuclei are observed in a mass of cytoplasm with poorly distinct cytoplasmic junctions (see Chapter 18).

Occasionally, rosette and acinar structures are observed. The secretory granules characteristic of neuroendocrine tissue can be challenging to visualize with Romanowsky stains but can be enhanced with a Churukian–Schenck or other silver stain (Smith & Haggitt, 1983). Additionally, carcinoids should stain positive for common immunologic neuroendocrine markers (e.g. chromogranin-A, synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase; Patnaik et al., 2005). Carcinoids can infiltrate diffusely throughout the liver. When present as a localized mass, they are commonly associated with the bile duct or gallbladder. These tumors are highly aggressive and have been observed to metastasize to lymph node and peritoneum (Stalker & Hayes, 2007a,b).

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Source: Barger A.M., MacNeill A.L. (Eds.). Small Animal Cytologic Diagnosis: Canine and Feline Disease. CRC Press,2024. — 536 p.. 2024
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