Indolent splenic B-cell lymphoma in a dog: clinicopathological correlation and diagnostic challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v20n5e1953Keywords:
Ectopic tissue, histopathology, oncological staging, splenic neoplasiaAbstract
The spleen is an encapsulated lymphoid organ with a highly vascularized parenchyma composed of white and red pulp. This histological constitution makes it a common site for the development of numerous pathological processes in dogs, ranging from reactive hyperplasias and vascular lesions to hematopoietic and metastatic neoplasms. This report describes the case of a 10-year-old mixed-breed female dog presented to the FACICA Veterinary Hospital in August 2025, in which a splenic nodule was incidentally identified through ultrasonographic screening. Imaging examination revealed a hypoechoic mass with a “honeycomb” appearance, a pattern frequently associated with lymphoid infiltration. The patient's medical history included severe automobile trauma six years earlier. Given the suspicion of neoplasia, the patient underwent exploratory celiotomy and total splenectomy. During abdominal cavity inspection, multiple millimetric sessile nodules were identified on the surface of the greater omentum, macroscopically resembling splenic tissue, and excisional biopsy of these structures was performed. Histopathological analysis of the spleen revealed a small-cell lymphoid neoplastic proliferation compatible with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), an indolent biological subtype. Histological sections of the omentum showed well-differentiated ectopic splenic tissue with preserved white and red pulp architecture, confirming the diagnosis of omental splenosis. The coexistence of MCL and splenosis represents a significant diagnostic challenge in veterinary oncology. Correct differentiation between benign tissue seeding (splenosis) and neoplastic dissemination prevented the inappropriate upstaging of the patient to World Health Organization (WHO) Stage V disease, which would have significantly altered the prognosis and therapeutic management.
References
Aielo, J. B., Zamian, T. R. O., Neves, V. G., Caragelasco, D. S., & Luppi, M. M. C. P. (2023). Características ultrassonográficas do hemangiossarcoma esplênico em cães: Revisão. PUBVET, 17(5), e1395. https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v17n5e1395.
Apostolopoulou, E. P., Vlemmas, I., Pardali, D., Adamama-Moraitou, K. K., Poutahidis, T., Papadopoulou, P. L., & Brellou, G. D. (2021). Bilateral renal large b cell lymphoma in a dog: A case report and review of the literature. Veterinary Sciences, 8(11), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8110258.
Bandinelli, M. B., Pavarini, S. P., Oliveira, E. C., Gomes, D. C., Cruz, C. E. F., & Driemeier, D. (2011). Estudo retrospectivo de lesões em baços de cães esplenectomizados: 179 casos. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, 31, 697–701.
Bento, J. R. N. (2022). Hemangiossarcoma em cães e gatos: Estudo retrospectivo de 38 casos clínicos. Universidade de Lisboa.
Claro Júnior, F., Moreira, L. R., Stocchero, G. F., Pinto, G. a, & Pinto Neto, A. M. (2014). The autologous greater omental flap as a structure for extraperitoneal surgical repair: A comparative, paired, and controlled experimental study of its adaptive properties. Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica (RBCP), 29(1). https://doi.org/10.5935/2177-1235.2014rbcp0021.
Cozzi, M., Marconato, L., Martini, V., Aresu, L., Riondato, F., Rossi, F., Stefanello, D., & Comazzi, S. (2018). Canine nodal marginal zone lymphoma: Descriptive insight into the biological behaviour. Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12374
Dias, J. N. R., André, A. S., Aguiar, S. I., Gil, S., Tavares, L., & Aires-da-Silva, F. (2021). Immunotherapeutic Strategies for Canine Lymphoma: Changing the Odds Against Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8(621758). https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.621758.
Dyce, K. M., Sack, W. O., & Wensing, C. J. G. (2010). Tratado de anatomia veterinária. Elsevier, Rio de Janeiro.
Fighera, R. A., Souza, T. M., Kommers, G. G., Irigoyen, L. F., & Barros, C. S. L. (2010). Patogênese e achados clínicos, hematológicos e anatomopatológicos da infecção por Rangelia vitalii em 35 cães (1985-2009). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, 30(11). https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-736x2010001100012
Fossum, T. W. (2021). Cirurgia de pequenos animais (3ed.). Elsevier Editora.
Fracácio, C. P., Sueiro, F. A. R., Anai, L. A., Pucci, M. B., Senhorello, I. L. S., Barata, J. S., & Jark, P. C. (2018). Histopathological and immunophenotypical assessment of canine primary splenic lymphoma according to the World Health Organization. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira, 38(11). https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-PVB-5328.
Guerlin, M., Mourou, K., Martini, V., Soetart, N., Comazzi, S., Trumel, C., & Granat, F. (2023). Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia in a Normoproteinemic Dog with Atypical Bimorphic Plasmacytoid Differentiation and Monoclonal Gammopathy. Veterinary Sciences, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10050355.
Hammond, T. N., & Pesillo-Crosby, S. A. (2008). Prevalence of hemangiosarcoma in anemic dogs with a splenic mass and hemoperitoneum requiring a transfusion: 71 cases (2003–2005). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 232(4), 553–558. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.232.4.553.
Harel, M., Touzet, C., Barthélemy, A., & Ségard-Weisse, E. M. (2020). Prevalence and diagnostic value of the ultrasonographic honeycomb appearance of the spleen in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 22(2), 186–192. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X19837336.
Humeau, C., Bouhsina, N., Lafuma, F., Cordier, P., Rousseau, T., & Hernandez, J. (2026). Imaging Diagnosis—Peritoneal Splenosis in a Dog: Computed Tomographic Findings. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound, 67(1), e70136. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.70136.
Joetzke, A. E., Eberle, N., Nolte, I., Mischke, R., & Simon, D. (2012). Flow cytometric evaluation of peripheral blood and bone marrow and fine-needle aspirate samples from multiple sites in dogs with multicentric lymphoma. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 73(6), 884–893. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.73.6.884.
Kliczkowska-Klarowicz, K., Jagielski, D., Czopowicz, M., & Sapierzynski, R. A. (2021). Demographic and clinical characteristics of dogs with centroblastic lymphoma. Veterinary World, 14(1), 49–55. https://doi.org/10.14202/VETWORLD.2021.49-55.
Kodama, K., & Kodama, K. (2021). Sequential development of B-cell lymphoma of alternative lineage after treatment for mantle cell lymphoma in a dog. Journal of Japan Veterinary Cancer Society, 10(2), 19–24. https://doi.org/10.12951/jvcs.2017-005.
Limmer, S., Nerschbach, V., Eberle, N., Teske, E., & Simon Betz, D. (2022). Efficacy and tolerability of a 12-week combination chemotherapy followed by lomustine consolidation treatment in canine B- and T-cell lymphoma. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 64(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-022-00660-z.
Machado, M. N., Pinheiro, G. C., Filgueiras, J. R. S. R., Macambira, C. G., Guedes, R. F. M., & Bezerra, B. M. O. (2025). Formação nodular no baço de um cão: Relato de hiperplasia nodular linfoide e discussão dos principais diagnósticos diferenciais. Research, Society and Development, 14(6), e2114648964. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i6.48964.
Marconato, L., Martini, V., Aresu, L., Sampaolo, M., Valentini, F., Rinaldi, V., & Comazzi, S. (2013). Assessment of bone marrow infiltration diagnosed by flow cytometry in canine large B cell lymphoma: Prognostic significance and proposal of a cut-off value. Veterinary Journal, 197(3), 776–781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.003.
Maués, T., Israel, C. B., Alvim, A. P. V., & Ferreira, M. L. G. (2013). Esplenose em canino: Relato de caso. Revista Brasileira de Ciência Veterinária, 20(1), 6–8. https://doi.org/10.4322/rbcv.2014.045.
Mergl, J. C., Hanselman, B., & Kirsch, M. (2022). Chronic splenic torsion in a dog with an accessory spleen. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 63(2), 147–151.
O’Brien, D., Moore, P. F., Vernau, W., Peauroi, J. R., Rebhun, R. B., Rodriguez, C. O., & Skorupski, K. A. (2013). Clinical Characteristics and Outcome in Dogs with Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 27(4), 949–954. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12116.
Quinci, M., Sabattini, S., Agnoli, C., Bettini, G., & Diana, A. (2020). Ultrasonographic honeycomb pattern of the spleen in cats: Correlation with pathological diagnosis in 33 cases. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 22(8), 800–804. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X19873197.
Ramaiah, S. K., Seguin, M. A., Carwile, H. F., & Raskin, R. E. (2002). Biclonal gammopathy associated with immunoglobulin A in a dog with multiple myeloma. Veterinary Clinical Pathology, 31(2), 83–89. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-165X.2002.tb00285.x.
Rocha, M. C. P., Araújo, D., Carvalho, F., Vale, N., Pazzini, J. M., Feliciano, M. A. R., De Nardi, A. B., & Amorim, I. (2025). Canine Multicentric Lymphoma: Diagnostic, Treatment, and Prognostic Insights. Animals, 15(3), 391. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030391.
Sabattini, S., Lopparelli, R. M., Rigillo, A., Giantin, M., Renzi, A., Matteo, C., Capitani, O., Dacasto, M., Mengoli, M., & Bettini, G. (2018). Canine Splenic Nodular Lymphoid Lesions: Immunophenotyping, Proliferative Activity, and Clonality Assessment. Veterinary Pathology, 55(5), 645–653. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985818777035.
Sabattini, S., Rigillo, A., Foiani, G., Marconato, L., Vascellari, M., Greco, A., Agnoli, C., Annoni, M., Melchiotti, E., Campigli, M., Benali, S. L., & Bettini, G. (2022). Clinicopathologic features and biologic behavior of canine splenic nodules with stromal, histiocytic and lymphoid components. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 962685. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.962685.
Santos, D. O., Calasans, H. C. M., Marques, M. O., Prado, A. B. L. F., Carvalho, A. L. M. F., Santos, A. E. O., Jesus, Y. H. A., Melo, B. S., Santana, K. L., & Andrade, J. P. F. (2025). O uso do Brexucabtagene Autoleucel no tratamento de Linfoma de Células do Manto em pacientes Recidivados/refratários. Revista Eletrônica Acervo Saúde, 25(6). https://doi.org/10.25248/reas.e20837.2025.
Slatter, D. H., & Aronson, L. (2007). Manual de cirurgia de pequenos animais (Vol. 2). Manole São Paulo.
Stein, L., Bacmeister, C., Ylaya, K., Fetsch, P., Wang, Z., Hewitt, S. M., & Kiupel, M. (2019). Immunophenotypic Characterization of Canine Splenic Follicular-Derived B-Cell Lymphoma. Veterinary Pathology, 56(3), 350–357. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985818823668.
Sunahara, H., Nemoto, Y., Anggoro, D., Purba, M. S., Itamoto, K., Itoh, H., Nakaichi, M., & Tani, K. (2025). A rare case of solitary intrahepatic splenosis following splenectomy in a dog. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 87(3), 286–290. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.24-0080.
Valli, V. E., Bienzle, D., Meuten, D. J., & Linder, K. E. (2017). Tumors of the hemolymphatic system. Tumors in Domestic Animals, 5, 203–321. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119181200.ch7.
Valli, V. E., Myint, M., Barthel, A., Bienzle, D., Caswell, J., Colbatzky, F., Durham, A., Ehrhart, E. J., Johnson, Y., Jones, C., Kiupel, M., Labelle, P., Lester, S., Miller, M., Moore, P., Moroff, S., Roccabianca, P., Ramos-Vara, J., Ross, A., … Vernau, W. (2011). Classification of canine malignant lymphomas according to the world health organization criteria. Veterinary Pathology, 48(1), 198–211. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985810379428.
Valli, V. E., Vernau, W., Lorimier, L. P., Graham, P. S., & Moore, P. F. (2006). Canine indolent nodular lymphoma. Veterinary Pathology, 43(3), 241–256. https://doi.org/10.1354/vp.43-3-241.
Van Stee, L. L., Boston, S. E., Singh, A., Romanelli, G., Rubio-Guzman, A., & Scase, T. J. (2015). Outcome and Prognostic Factors for Canine Splenic Lymphoma Treated by Splenectomy (1995-2011). Veterinary Surgery, 44(8), 976–982. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.12405.
Ziogaite, B., Contreras, E. T., & Horgan, J. E. (2024). Incidence of splenic malignancy and hemangiosarcoma in dogs undergoing splenectomy surgery at a surgical specialty clinic: 182 cases (2017–2021). PLoS ONE, 19(12), e0314737. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314737.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Stella Brito Daniel, Pedro Henrique Mesquita Silvério
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Você tem o direito de:
Compartilhar — copiar e redistribuir o material em qualquer suporte ou formato
Adaptar — remixar, transformar, e criar a partir do material para qualquer fim, mesmo que comercial.
O licenciante não pode revogar estes direitos desde que você respeite os termos da licença. De acordo com os termos seguintes:
Atribuição
— Você deve dar o crédito apropriado, prover um link para a licença e indicar se mudanças foram feitas. Você deve fazê-lo em qualquer circunstância razoável, mas de nenhuma maneira que sugira que o licenciante apoia você ou o seu uso. Sem restrições adicionais
— Você não pode aplicar termos jurídicos ou medidas de caráter tecnológico que restrinjam legalmente outros de fazerem algo que a licença permita.
