Vulvar and vestibulovaginal hemangiosarcoma in a cow: morphological and histopathological observations

BACKGROUND: Hemangiosarcoma is defined as the malignant mesenchymal neoplasm of endothelial cells. It is a common tumor affecting dogs and is very rare in cattle. CASE DESCRIPTION: A seven-year-old three months pregnant female Holstein Friesian cross-breed cow was presented with a history of a proliferating irregular dark red friable mass in the vulvar region for the past month. FINDINGS/TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The surface of the mass had diffuse ecchymotic hemorrhages. Histopathological examination of the tissue biopsy specimen revealed unencapsulated, infiltrating neoplasm composed of numerous vascular channels with irregular borders surrounded by endothelial cells of variable sizes and shapes supported by a scanty fibrovascular stroma. Based on morphological and histopathological findings, the case was diagnosed as vulvar and vestibulovaginal hemangiosarcoma. The animal was culled due to the poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of vulvar and vestibulovaginal hemangiosarcoma in a cow.