Feline alimentary lymphoma

Abstract

The evidence supporting this review is derived from grade II, III and IV prospective studies, retrospective case series, reviews, extrapolation from other species, pathophysiological justification and the combined clinical experience of those working in the field.

Feline low-grade alimentary lymphoma: an emerging entity and a potential animal model for human disease

“…It is a minimally invasive and rapid technique allowing macroscopic lesions to be described and multiple intestinal biopsy samples to be collected, albeit exclusively from mucosa or submucosa [ 15 , 20 , 72 , 105 ]. Mucosal lesions that cannot be characterised by ultrasonographic examination may be identified by endoscopy [ 75 , 106 , 107 ]. Macroscopic differentiation between inflammatory lesions (congestion, oedema, mucosal fibrosis) and LGAL lesions is not possible by endoscopic examination [ 20 , 107 ].…”

“…Mucosal lesions that cannot be characterised by ultrasonographic examination may be identified by endoscopy [ 75 , 106 , 107 ]. Macroscopic differentiation between inflammatory lesions (congestion, oedema, mucosal fibrosis) and LGAL lesions is not possible by endoscopic examination [ 20 , 107 ]. In addition, the jejunum and the proximal part of the ileum, which are the most frequent locations of LGAL, are often not accessible by endoscopy [ 105 ].…”

“…Unfortunately, regardless of method used for biopsy sampling, diagnosis remains challenging because of the frequent lack of gross changes in cases of LGAL. Multiple systematic biopsies of all the digestive areas are therefore recommended [ 14 , 61 , 79 , 107 ].…”

“…Both cytological and histological assessment can be used to aid in the diagnosis of AL in cats. Whilst cytology samples can be easier to collect, results may be unreliable, particularly for LGAL, where the rate of false-negatives for mesenteric lymph nodes can reach 50% [ 59 , 60 , 75 , 107 , 109 – 111 ]. Few intra-abdominal lymph node cytology results are positive for LGAL, possibly because the neoplastic lymphocyte population mainly comprises small lymphocytes, which would not be considered to be unusual in a lymph node [ 60 ].…”

“…Few intra-abdominal lymph node cytology results are positive for LGAL, possibly because the neoplastic lymphocyte population mainly comprises small lymphocytes, which would not be considered to be unusual in a lymph node [ 60 ]. Conversely, aspiration cytology of focal intestinal wall masses or enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes are considered adequate to diagnose HGAL or LGLL [ 82 , 107 ].…”