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Studies on Bovine Lymphosarcoma

I. Clinical Aspects, Pathological Alterations, and Herd Studies^*

R. R. Marshak, L. L. Coriell, W. C. Lawrence, J. E. Croshaw, Jr., H. F. Schryver, K. P. Altera and W. W. Nichols

( School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; and South Jersey Medical Research Foundation, Camden, N.J.)

An attempt has been made to characterize lymphosarcoma of cattle with regard to clinical manifestations, pathological alterations, and familial distribution of cases in high-incidence herds.

According to data from a total of 59 cases it is evident that, in many respects, the cattle disease resembles lymphosarcoma ofman. There is localized neoplastic proliferation of lymphoid tissue which results in diffuse infiltration of organs or formation of discrete solid tumor masses. These are locally destructive and invasive. The process probably spreads by metastasis and, in time, becomes widely disseminated. Some animals develop leukemic peripheral blood with massive bone marrow involvement; in many others, the blood and marrow appear normal throughout the course of the disease.

The common clinical picture is one of emaciation, pallor, a history of progressive weight loss, and decreased milk production. Enlargement of palpable lymph nodes is an outstanding feature.

Analysis of pedigree data from cattle with lymphosarcoma in six multiple-case herds indicates that the probability of chance occurrence of the disease in these related animals is extremely remote. This familial aggregation of cases is highly suggestive of genetic susceptibility to lymphosarcoma. The data are equally compatible with a concept of vertical transmission of an infectious agent.

^* Supported by research grants from the American Cancer Society (E-210, E-211, E-111C, and E-211A); U.S.P.H.S. Grant CY 3845 (C3), and a grant from the World Health Organization.

U.S.P.H.S. Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Grant CF 10298).

Pennsylvania Plan Scholar.

American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Research Fellow—Grant E-210. Present address: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.

Received 8/17/61.