Lymphoma is a malignant neoplasm often found in felines, which originates in
solid lymphoid organs, such as lymph node, spleen, liver or bone marrow, however it
can occur in any region of the body. Although its etiology is unknown and probably
multifactorial, studies show that several factors can influence its development, such as
genetic and molecular factors, the presence of chronic inflammation and viral diseases.
The feline viral leukemia virus, being an oncogenic disease, can increase the chances
of a feline developing this neoplasm by up to 60 times. Lymphoma can present itself
in several anatomical forms, the main ones being the multicentric, mediastinal,
alimentary and extranodal forms. Diagnosis is based on physical examination,
complementary tests (blood count, serum biochemistry, radiography, ultrasound and
urinalysis) and specific tests to detect the definitive diagnosis. The cytological exam is
widely used in clinical routine as it is a practical and accessible exam. To establish the
classification and analyze the architecture of the affected tissue, histopathological
analysis is recommended. Lymphoma types and subtypes are identified by
immunophenotyping and molecular techniques. Due to the high incidence of this
neoplasm, it is extremely important to be aware of the different techniques available to
diagnose lymphoma and characterize it. Therefore, this work aims to carry out a
literature review of diagnostic techniques for lymphoma in felines.
Keywords: Cytology. Histopathology. Immunophenotyping.
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