Coexistence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and a pseudocyst in cat

Exocrine pancreatic tumors in cats and dogs are very uncommon, with exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma described as a particularly rare, malignant tumor in a small animals. It is usually derived from pancreatic ducts, as well as glandular tissue. Very often the disease has a subclinical course and is diagnosed only during post – mortem examination. Adenocarcinoma metastasize to both the surrounding and distant organs. The etiology of the cancer progress in the pancreas remains unknown.

Pancreatic pseudocyst (pseudocystis pancreatis) is a very rare disease in domestic animals. Only a few cases of pancreatic pseudocyst in dogs and cats are described in the available literature. On the other hand, in humans it is a common complication of pancreatitis. The pancreatic pseudocyst can be a result of pancreatitis, as well as be a secondary condition to acute pancreatitis, trauma or chronic inflammation. It is a capsule made of fibrous or granulation tissue, containing sterile pancreatic juice. The pathogenesis of pancreatic pseudocyst is still unknown. Clinical signs are not specific and may resemble symptoms of pancreatitis. The ultrasound examination shows a cyst in the pancreas.

This paper describes the case of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a cat that occurred simultaneously with the pancreatic pseudocyst. Currently, literature indicates the necessity to differentiate the above cancer from cystic lesion. Due to the simultaneous occurrence of both pathologies, extremely rare diagnosis and spectacular picture of changes, it was decided to present this case.