Suspect granulosa cell tumor. Beef cow

Keywords: beef, bovine, ovary, neoplasia, tumor, GCT, granulosa, polycystic

Image size: 1617 x 1096px

A large, firm, polycystic structure replacing the ovary on the tract of a slaughter plant specimen from a beef cow. The bluish appearance of the cysts is probably true, judging by the correct color of the uterus. As for others in this collection, this image from 1980 was labeled as "Ovarian cyst - beef cow". Judging by the size of the tumor and the manner in which it has replaced the ovary, is far more likely that this is a polycystic form of a granulosa cell tumor. Granulosa cell tumors in cattle can be solid, may consist of a single large cyst or can be polycystic or as in this case.

Suspect granulosa cell tumor. Beef cow

Keywords: beef, bovine, ovary, neoplasia, tumor, GCT, granulosa.

Image size: 1042 x 691px

A large and almost spherical (the image was not re-touched in that regard) tumor replacing the ovary on the tract of a slaughter plant specimen from a beef cow. As for others in this collection, this image from 1980 was labeled as "Ovarian cyst - beef cow". Judging by the size of the tumor and the manner in which it has replaced the ovary, is likely that this was a cystic form of a granulosa cell tumor. Granulosa cell tumors in cattle can be solid, polycystic or as in this case, may consist of a single large cyst. This is a likely diagnosis but of course, is based only on speculation.

Call-Exner bodies in a bovine granulosa cell tumor

Keywords: granulosa, tumor, neoplasia, Call-Exner, histology

Image size: 1360 x 2048px

Some granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) 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 or follicular patterns. As shown in this case, more than one of these patterns may be present in a single tumor (diffuse above and trabecular below). Mitotic figures were not seen (not obvious) in this specimen.

Call-Exner bodies consist of an irregular ring of granulosa cells around a central cavity filled with fluid that stains positively for glycosaminoglycans. They are common in GCTs but they are not pathognomonic for these tumors. They can also be seen in Graafian follicle as well. Two Call-Exner bodies are obvious at lower left in the image below:

Image size: 1360 x 1024px


Note the Call-Exner bodies in the upper image.

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 specimen 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 patterns 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.