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Morphological Factors as Indicators of Malignancy of Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Cattle Exposed Naturally to Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

Authors :
Claudio S.L. Barros
Glaucia D. Kommers
Eduardo Keinji Masuda
Tessie Beck Martins
J.V.M. Piazer
Source :
Journal of Comparative Pathology. 144:48-54
Publication Year :
2011
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2011.

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the upper digestive tract (UDT) of cattle have been associated with chronic bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) toxicity and infection with bovine papillomavirus type-4. These tumours share some morphological similarities with human head and neck SCCs. In this study, morphological changes were correlated with the biological behaviour of 40 alimentary SCCs in cattle grazing on pastures with high bracken content. The majority of SCCs were localized to the cranial and caudal regions of the UDT (almost 45% each). More than 60% of the tumours were well differentiated and were found mostly in the cranial region. Metastasis occurred in 58% of the cases, mostly to regional lymph nodes. All poorly differentiated SCCs had evidence of metastasis. Morphological patterns characterized by islands and ribbons of neoplastic keratinocytes were more prominent in well differentiated SCCs. These patterns varied greatly in moderately differentiated SCCs. Poorly differentiated tumours were characterized by the presence of cellular aggregates and individual cells and these tumours had more marked desmoplasia. A significant positive association was established between lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltration and tumour-associated tissue eosinophilia. Evaluation of argyrophylic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) revealed higher proliferation indices in poorly differentiated tumours than in moderately or well differentiated lesions. There was significant correlation between the AgNOR index and histological grading. The morphological factors analyzed were all related to histological grading, which is the major factor predicting the biological behaviour of SCCs in cattle naturally exposed to bracken fern.

Details

ISSN :
00219975
Volume :
144
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Comparative Pathology
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....1364b97b5c638a7ef603b64a31deff8a