An immunohistochemical analysis of lymphocytic infiltrations in canine skin cancers

Lymphocytic infiltrations located in the extracellular matrix often accompany canine skin cancer. They can be characterised as an inflammatory infiltration and/or a second tumour – lymphoma. The aim of this study was an immunohistochemical analysis of a lymphocytic infiltration which accompanies spontaneous skin cancer. Twenty basal cell carcinoma, 20 non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, 20 keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma and 8 sebaceous gland carcinoma samples which were accompanied by a lymphocytic infiltration and/or secondary lymphatic follicles were verified histopathologically. The expression of bcl-2, CD3, CD79α, Ki-67, MCM-3 and MCM-7 in the lymphocytic infiltration was evaluated. Four types of lymphocytic infiltrations were found: I – diffuse bcl-2⁺, II – diffuse bcl-2⁻, III – follicular bcl-2⁺/⁻ where the centre was bcl-2⁻, and the marginal zone of the follicles and the extrafollicular area were bcl-2⁺ and IV – aggregated bcl-2⁺, where the centre and periphery were bcl-2⁺. The I and IV type corresponds to lymphoma, II type is non-neoplastic immune response and III type suggest reactive follicular hyperplasia. The proliferation of lymphocytes which demonstrated the expression of neoplastic markers (I and IV), suggests preneoplastic phase (pseudolymphoma) or lymphoma – the second independent tumour. A high proliferative index of the follicular blc-2⁺/⁻ follicular infiltration indicates an increased immunological response of the host against skin cancer.