Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma with Testicular Metastases in a Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Simple Summary Oncology in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has emerged in recent years as medical treatments are required with increasing frequency. In this report, we describe a case of cutaneous malignant melanoma occurring in the scrotum in a wild rabbit, with testicular metastases, as an unusual metastatic site only described in human patients to date. Case presentation and gross, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings are detailed. Descriptions of the biological behaviour of spontaneous tumours may serve to improve current knowledge in animal species and humans in which the same neoplasm occurs. Furthermore, the increasing popularity of rabbits as pets allows for more data on the spontaneous occurrence of cancer. Melanocytic skin tumours have been rarely described in pet rabbits, and exposure to UV light in sparsely haired areas has been hypothesised to play a cancerogenic role. Here, we describe a case of cutaneous malignant melanoma arising from the skin of the scrotum in an 8-year-old male wild rabbit, with testicular metastases as an unusual metastatic site for melanoma reported in humans to date. The tumour was nearly 5 cm in size, firm, and highly pigmented, with multifocal superficial ulcerations and large areas of intratumoural necrosis. The adjacent testis was 1.5 cm, multinodular, and black, obscuring tissue morphology. Histologically, the dermis was expanded by an infiltrative, densely cellular neoplasm composed of nests and sheets of polygonal to spindle neoplastic melanocytes, supported by scant fibrovascular stroma. Neoplastic cells showed intermediate N/C ratio, moderate basophilic cytoplasm, often obscured by abundant brownish granular pigment, and eccentric nuclei with prominent nucleoli. Cellular pleomorphism and nuclear atypia were severe, and high mitotic activity was observed. Diffuse dermal lymphovascular invasion was also observed. The testis was delimited by a thin tunica albuginea, and the parenchyma was largely obscured in its morphology by densely packed neoplastic cells. Seminiferous tubules, lined with a thin basement membrane and containing neoplastic and scattered spermatogenic cells, were occasionally observed. Neoplastic cells within the skin and the testis were positive for HMB-45, Melan-A, and S-100. The growing popularity of rabbits as pets allows for a greater ability to accumulate data on the spontaneous occurrence of tumours in these animals. Furthermore, descriptions of the biological aspects of spontaneously occurring tumours may serve to improve current knowledge in animal species and humans in which the same neoplasm may occur.

Automated summary

In recent years, the issue of oncology in pet rabbits has become increasingly prominent as medical treatments are needed more frequently. This report describes a case of cutaneous malignant melanoma with testicular metastases occurring in a wild rabbit, which is an uncommon metastatic site described only in human patients so far. The case presentation and detailed analysis of gross, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings provide valuable information for understanding the biological behavior of spontaneous tumors in both animals and humans. The growing popularity of rabbits as pets allows for a greater accumulation of data on the occurrence of spontaneous tumors in these animals.