NEOPLASTIC DISEx\SES IN CHICKENS 39 



unknown, as onh' a tumor mass described as coming from the abdominal cavity 

 was available for examination. Both kidneys had foci of embryonal nephroma 

 in 5 instances. It is of interest to compare these findings with those of Mathews 

 (18), for the left kidney only was the site of tumor in the 12 cases described by 

 him. All of the cases studied by Mathews had shown symptoms of paralysis of 

 the left leg as a result of pressure on the nerves caused by the tumor mass. Similar 

 symptoms were noted in three of the cases in this study. 



Lymphoc}toma was an associated findmg in four cases of embryonal nephroma, 

 myelocytoma was present in one case, and fowl paralysis in one. One bird with 

 embryonal nephroma was found to be also affected with a hormonal disturbance 

 in which a change in plumage from female to male type had occurred. An ovario- 

 testis was foimd which was probably responsible for the condition, as described 

 by Lips^hiitz (15) under the subject of intersexuality of birds. Friedgood and 

 Uotila (10) have studied such cases of virilism and believe the term "arrheno- 

 blastoma" should be used when this type of tumor is encountered in the chicken. 



Carcinosarcoma 



Neoplasms composed of both malignant epithelial and malignant connective 

 tissue elements, or mixed tumors have been diagnosed as carcinosarcoma in this 

 survey. These interesting tumors offer much more material for study and com- 

 ment than can be adequately covered in this brief discussion. The pathogenesis 

 of carcinosarcoma would be an interesting subject for detailed study. 



The diagnosis of carcinosarcoma was made in seven cases of neoplasia en- 

 countered during the course of this survey. A short description of the pertinent 

 pathology of each will give a better picture of the disease than a general dis- 

 cussion. 



1. T 95. A 20-month-old hen was found dead. Numerous small, firm, gray- 

 white nodules a few millimeters in diameter were scattered over the peritoneal 

 surfaces of the viscera, particularly concentrated about the pancreas. A firm, 

 tough, fibrous tumor mass was found in the ventral ligament of the oviduct and 

 proved to be a leiomyoma. A cross section through the pancreas showed the 

 pancreatic tissue to be m.arkedly compressed and reduced by an encircling mass 

 of neoplastic tissue consisting principally of fibroblasts and a few well-defined 

 epithelial elements which tended to form tubules and acini. At one point the 

 musculature of the duodenum was penetrated and the tumor infiltrated the sub- 

 mucosa. Epithelial elements of the tumor were much more in evidence in the 

 peritoneal implants of the tumor. Van Gieson's picric acid fuchsin method for 

 differentiating between connective tissue and muscle fibers was applied to the 

 tumors. The tumor of the mesosalpinx was made up entirely of muscle fibers. 

 The mixed tumors of the serosa contained a small amount of muscle fibers in 

 addition to the connective tissue and epithelial elements. 



2. T 239. A hen died at the age of 19^ months. A firm, tough, fibrous 

 mass measuring 50 X 30 X 30 mm. was found in the ventral ligament of the 

 oviduct. The mass was well encapsulated and consisted of n,eopla9tic smooth 

 muscle cells. On the visceral surface of this tumor was a small area of carcinoma. 

 The serosa of the viscera was covered with many small, white, firm nodules that 

 tended to become confluent in man\' areas, especially over the pancreas and 

 duodenum and in the ileocecal ligaments. These nodules represented mixed 

 tumors composed of epithelial cells and connective tissue with varying amounts 

 of each in different locations. A Van Gieson's preparation indicated the absence 

 of muscle tissue in the mixed tumor. 



3. T 283. The hen was about 22 months old at the time of its death. A 

 marked ascites was present (approximately 450 ml.) consisting of slightly turbid 

 straw-colored fluid. A rounded, firm mass, 22 mm. in diameter, was found in the 

 ventral ligament of the oviduct, which proved to be composed of smooth muscle 

 cells. There were two small nodules about 5 to 7 mm. in diameter on the visceral 

 aspect of the oviduct 2 cm. from the cloacal orifice. The serosa of the visceral 

 organs was covered with many small, firm nodules, confluent in some areas and 



