Ultrastructure of a Feline Extraskeletal Giant Cell Tumor (Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma)

A subcutaneous extraskeletal giant cell tumor (malignant fibrous histiocytoma) was excised repeatedly from a 9-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat. Ultrastructurally, the mass was composed of fibroblast-like, histiocyte-like, and multinucleated giant cells, and some undifferentiated cells and mononuclear cells intermediate between the fibroblast-like and histiocyte-like cells. Fibroblast-like cells were characterized by abundant well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, relatively smooth cytoplasmic membranes, few lysosomal structures, and finely granular chromatin. Histiocyte-like cells resembled immature macrophages. The cell membranes had many villous projections. Rough endoplasmic reticulum varied in quantity. Lysosomes were numerous. Multinucleated giant cells had characteristics of both the fibroblast-like and histiocyte-like cells. No viral particles were seen. © 1981, American College of Veterinary Pathologists. All rights reserved