Metastatic cholangiocellular carcinoma in turkey: A rare case report

Abstract

Hepatic and biliary neoplasms are common among domestic animals in comparison to wildlife. Neoplasms of liver can be primary or secondary in origin. Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocellular carcinoma are some frequently occurring neoplasms of birds and among them cholangiocellular carcinoma is the most commonly reported neoplasm. The incidence and mortality of this cancer are rising in the world. Cholangiocellular carcinoma is characterised by proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and can extend upto capsular region leading to its serosal dissemination and metastasis to other visceral organs. The present report describes a rare case of cholangiocellular carcinoma in turkey with metastatic foci in lungs and kidneys. Necropsy revealed the enlargement of liver along with presence of yellowish-white coloured multifocal and slightly raised nodules of variable sizes (ranging from 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter). Microscopically, it showed the presence of cuboidal to low columnar epithelial cells arranged in duct and solid island formation along with pleomorphism and 2-3 mitotic figures/high power field. Infiltration of inflammatory cells, mainly heterophils was evident. In conclusion, gross and histopathological alterations are suggestive of cholangiocellular carcinoma and its metastasis to other organs. While it should be differentiated from hepatotoxin-induced bile duct proliferation, immunohistochemistry against cytokeratin can be used for confirmation.