A bovine granulosa cell tumor.
Keywords: bovine, GCT, granulosa, tumor, neoplasia, cow
Image size: 5184 x 3456px
Image size: 5184 x 3456px
A tumor in the ovary of a cull cow. This was a slaughter plant specimens with no other history. Histopathology confirmed that this was a granulosa cell tumor (GCT). That histopathology is shown in another LORI entry
Sex cord tumors of the granulosa-cell type are the most common sex cord-stromal tumors in cattle. They occur in all age groups, even in prenatal and very young calves, and in all breeds.
Steroid production has been reported but is not well characterized. Some studies show that they can produce estradiol 17 beta, progestogens and testosterone. Mammary enlargement in non-gravid affected heifers also suggest that estrogens are produced by some of these tumors. Those findings are not surprising in terms of the de-differentiated nature of cells that normally produce steroids.
As is the case in other domestic animals (all farm and companion animals) where granulosa cell tumors have been described, systemic metastasis is not typical but has been described in most species.
Some granulosa cell tumors in cattle can be cystic or polycystic with granulosa cells lining the cysts while others, such as this one, are solid with solid types probably in the majority. As the tumor outgrows its blood supply, areas of necrosis and hemorrhage may occur. Histologically, the neoplastic cells may be in trabecular, diffuse pattens or follicular.
Neoplastic cell types in these tumors have been described as granulosa- like or Sertoli cell- like with cells of either type predominating in separate tumors.
In this case, the tumor weighed approximately 10 kg, somewhat smaller than the largest described at 17.1 kg.
Although granulosa cell tumors such as this one may resemble Theca Cell tumors (also solid and yellow to orange in color) Theca cell tumors consist of masses of spindle- like cells almost resembling fibromas. They are not nearly as common as granulosa cell tumors.
A tumor in the ovary of a cull cow. This was a slaughter plant specimens with no other history. Histopathology confirmed that this was a granulosa cell tumor (GCT). That histopathology is shown in another LORI entry
Sex cord tumors of the granulosa-cell type are the most common sex cord-stromal tumors in cattle. They occur in all age groups, even in prenatal and very young calves, and in all breeds.
Steroid production has been reported but is not well characterized. Some studies show that they can produce estradiol 17 beta, progestogens and testosterone. Mammary enlargement in non-gravid affected heifers also suggest that estrogens are produced by some of these tumors. Those findings are not surprising in terms of the de-differentiated nature of cells that normally produce steroids.
As is the case in other domestic animals (all farm and companion animals) where granulosa cell tumors have been described, systemic metastasis is not typical but has been described in most species.
Some granulosa cell tumors in cattle can be cystic or polycystic with granulosa cells lining the cysts while others, such as this one, are solid with solid types probably in the majority. As the tumor outgrows its blood supply, areas of necrosis and hemorrhage may occur. Histologically, the neoplastic cells may be in trabecular, diffuse pattens or follicular.
Neoplastic cell types in these tumors have been described as granulosa- like or Sertoli cell- like with cells of either type predominating in separate tumors.
In this case, the tumor weighed approximately 10 kg, somewhat smaller than the largest described at 17.1 kg.
Although granulosa cell tumors such as this one may resemble Theca Cell tumors (also solid and yellow to orange in color) Theca cell tumors consist of masses of spindle- like cells almost resembling fibromas. They are not nearly as common as granulosa cell tumors.
