Large cell granulocytic lymphoma in a domestic shorthair cat
Lymphoma is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasia in domestic cats, accounting for about 30 percent of all tumor types. It occurs in many forms including alimentary, mediastinal, multicentric, cutaneous and single site (renal/CNS/hepatic). Of these forms, alimentary is the most common presentation and can be further divided into 3 subtypes: lymphoblastic, lymphocytic, and large granular. Of these subtypes, Large Granular Lymphoma (LGL) is a unique and distinct subset of lymphoma in cats, which most commonly affects the mesenteric lymph nodes and small intestine. Currently there is little published data available on the pathogenesis of this disease etiology, process, and treatment; however, it was been associated with significantly reduced response to chemotherapy, short mean survival time, and a grave overall prognosis.