# Histological and Immunohistochemical Findings of an Extremely Rare Multi‐Organ Metastasis of Fibrosarcoma in a Holstein Cow

**Authors:** Abdolrasoul Namjou, Reza Kheyrandish, Akbar GholamZadeh, Fatemeh Zahra Kiani, Sadegh Shirian

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70567 · Veterinary Medicine and Science · 2025-08-11

## TL;DR

This paper reports the first case of multi-organ fibrosarcoma metastasis in a young Holstein cow, highlighting its histological and immunohistochemical features.

## Contribution

The first documented case of multi-organ fibrosarcoma metastasis in a Holstein cow.

## Key findings

- Fibrosarcoma masses were found in the liver, kidney, heart, and lungs of a 4-year-old Holstein cow.
- Immunohistochemistry showed positive vimentin and negative desmin, SMA, and CD34, aiding in diagnosis.
- This case is the first reported instance of such metastasis in a Holstein cow.

## Abstract

Fibrosarcomas are most frequently encountered in senior dogs and cats, but they have also been documented in various other species such as alpacas, llamas, ferrets, cows, sheep, goats and horses. Macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical features of a very rare and unusual case of fibrosarcoma with metastasis to several visceral organs in a 4 year‐old Holstein cow is reported for the first time.

A cow with a history of decreased appetite, decreased milk production and chronic mastitis was presented to Abarkuh abattoir in Yazd province 4 months post‐parturition. The routine examination and systematic meat inspection revealed multi‐nodular focal masses, yellowish‐white in colour with firm consistency and clear borders on the surface and depth of the liver, kidney and heart, as well as in the parenchyma of both lungs. The masses showed a smooth surface without scars, bleeding and necrotic lesions. The tissue samples (1 × 1 × 1 cm3) were taken from the masses. Tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining using anti‐desmin, smooth muscle antibody (SMA), vimentin and CD34 antibodies. The histopathological evaluation of the masses showed spindle‐shaped cells, pleomorphic nuclei with mitotic figures and little cytoplasm. Masson's trichrome staining showed variable collagen fibres between abnormal fibroblasts. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive immunoreactivity for vimentin and negative for desmin, SMA and CD34 antibodies that are useful to distinguish this type of cancer from other spindle cell sarcomas. On the basis of the most recent literature search, this is the first report of multi‐organ metastasis of fibrosarcoma in a Holstein cow in the world.

Macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical features of a very rare and unusual case of fibrosarcoma with metastasis to several visceral organs in a 4 year‐old Holstein cow is reported for the first time.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** LOC101066771 (desmin-like), PRELID1 (PRELI domain containing 1), CD34 (CD34 molecule)
- **Diseases:** fibrosarcoma (MONDO:0002676), mastitis (MONDO:0006849)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** DES (desmin) [NCBI Gene 280765], CD34 (CD34 molecule) [NCBI Gene 281051], VIM (vimentin) [NCBI Gene 280955]
- **Diseases:** Fibrosarcoma (MESH:D005354), cancer (MESH:D009369), spindle cell sarcomas (MESH:D012509), mastitis (MESH:D008413), bleeding (MESH:D006470), necrotic (MESH:D009336), Metastasis (MESH:D009362), decreased (MESH:D009123)
- **Chemicals:** formalin (MESH:D005557)
- **Species:** Felis catus (cat, species) [taxon 9685], Equus caballus (domestic horse, species) [taxon 9796], Canis lupus familiaris (dog, subspecies) [taxon 9615], Capra hircus (domestic goat, species) [taxon 9925], Lama glama (llama, species) [taxon 9844], Bos taurus (bovine, species) [taxon 9913], Ovis aries (domestic sheep, species) [taxon 9940], Mustela putorius furo (black ferret, subspecies) [taxon 9669]

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12337754/full.md

## References

34 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12337754/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12337754