Often, mammary neoplasm malignity is subjectively appreciated by histopathology exams. Utilization of exact measurements techniques or malignancy markers is very important. AgNOR is a marker less studied in mammary neoplasms and has had very good results in appreciating malignancy in sarcomas such as the equine sarcoid and lymphomas (1, 2).

The material was represented by 10 cases (three cats and seven bitches), these presented mammary neoplasms. Cadavers and surgical samples represented the cases. After macroscopic exam samples were processed with the paraffin technique. Argentical impregnation was done using the Croker technique (2).

Results

Case 1: Stray cat, female, 5 years old, anaplastic solid carcinoma. AgNORs values: 3, 43% AgNOR/nucleu; 2, 65% AgNOR/nucleolus;1,29%.nucleols/nucleus. Case 2: Stray cat, female, 15 years old, simple tubular adenocarcinoma. AgNORs values: 1, 62% AgNOR/nucleus; 1, 61% AgNOR/nucleolus; 1, 02% nucleoli/nucleus. Case 3: Dog, female, Belgian shepherd, 8 years old; simple papilary adenocarcinoma. AgNORs values: 3, 36% AgNOR/nucleus; 2, 01% AgNOR/nucleolus; 1, 64% nucleoli/nucleus. Case 4: Dog, female, Caniche, 6 years old, mucous carcinoma. AgNORs values: 2, 55% AgNOR/nucleus; 2, 03% AgNOR/nucleolus; 1, 25% nucleoli/nucleus. Case 5: Stray dog, female, 9 years old, simple tubular adenocarcinoma. AgNORs values: 3, 31% AgNOR/nucleus; 1, 49% AgNOR/nucleolus; 2, 44% nucleoli/nucleus. Case 6: Dog, female, German shepherd, 6 years old, metaplastic carcinoma. AgNORs values: 3, 27% AgNOR/nucleus; 2, 10% AgNOR/nucleolus; 1, 54% nucleoli/nucleus. Case 7: Dog, female, Dalmatian, 8 years old, complex tubular adenocarcinoma. AgNORs values: 2, 46% AgNOR/nucleus; 1, 47% AgNOR/nucleolus; 1, 69% nucleoli/nucleus. Case 8: Dog, female, Caniche, 9 years old, simple tubular adenocarcinoma. AgNORs values: 1, 88% AgNOR/nucleus; 1, 63% AgNOR/nucleolus; 1, 17% nucleoli/nucleus. Case 9: Stray cat, female, 5 years old, simple tubular adenocarcinoma. AgNORs values: 2, 02% AgNOR/nucleus; 1, 97% AgNOR/nucleolus; 1, 03% nucleoli/nucleus. Case 10: Dog, female, Pit-bull, 5 years old, simple tubular adenocarcinoma. AgNORs values: 2, 71% AgNOR/nucleus; 1, 75% AgNOR/nucleolus; 1, 53% nucleoli/nucleus.

Conclusions

There are direct correlations between histopathology aspects regarding malignity and AgNORs marker. AgNOR/nucleus is directly proportional with AgNOR/nucleoli, nucleoli/nucleus. We established a hierarchy regarding the malignity. In bitches: high aggressively - (case 3); (case 5); (case 6); mean aggressively - (case 10); (case 4); (case 7); low aggressively - (case 8). In cats: high aggressively - (case 1); medium aggressively - (case 9); low aggressively - (case 2). The AgNOR technique could be used in the appreciation of the malignity of the mammary carcinoma in cats and dogs. AgNOR quantification could be more precise if its surface is measured with image analyzing techniques.

References

1.  Baba, A I, 2002, Comparative oncology, Ed. Academia Româna.

2.  Catoia C., ET. ALL, 2000, Rev.Rom.Oncol.Comp., 3, 185.

3.  Croker, J., 1987, J. Pathol., 151, 111 - 118.