Uterine adenocarcinoma with feline leukemia virus infection

Cho, Sung-Jin; Lee, Hyun-A; Hong, Sunhwa; Kim, Okjin

Significant changes in the structure of the endometrium are associated with degeneration of luminal epithelium, cystic endometrial hyperplasia, pyometra, and adenocarcinoma [22] . Endometrial tumors of the uterus are rare in domestic animals [23] . Adenocarcinoma of the uterus is very rare in animals, in marked contrast to the prevalence of this tumor in human females [23] . The basic mechanisms associated with these changes are poorly understood. Prolonged exposure to megestrol acetate has been associated with endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra in domestic cats, and progestin contraceptives may have similar effects on zoo felids [24, 25] . Megestrol acetate is a derivative of progesterone and used commonly both in contraception and hormone replacement therapy [26] . Based on available clinical and epidemiological data, it has been long suspected that tumors of the canine female genital tract develop under the influence of ovarian hormones [22] . In this case, however, the animal had not been given a progesterone derivative such as megestrol acetate.