Compatible with chordoma

The morphology of these cells is typical of physaliferous cells. The term “Physaliphorous” is a combination of two words – the Greek word “Physallis,” meaning “bubble,” and “Phoros,” meaning “bearing.” Thus, physaliferous cells literally mean cells having a bubbly or vacuolated appearance.

Fig 2. well-defined solitary mass on the tail in a ferret, Wright Giemsa, 100x.

These cells are typically observed in chordoma, a rare neoplasm derived from embryologic remnants of the notochord. This neoplasm is found in several species. However, it is most commonly seen in ferrets, particularly at the level of the distal column, where small remnants of the notochord may persist. Possible differentials based on cell morphology include liposarcoma, myxosarcoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, and sebaceous carcinoma. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry may help achieving a final diagnosis in cases where cytological evaluation is not definitive. These tumours tend to grow quite slowly, and surgical excision is often curative. Metastatic disease has been rarely described. In this specific case, the lesion was surgically removed, and tail amputated, but the owner declined histopathological examination. At 3 months from the surgery, the ferret has fully recovered with no recurrence of the disease noted. Have you even encountered a case like this?

If you want to know more about this condition, check these free links:

• Chordoma in the tail of a ferret
• Histochemical and immunohistochemical characterization of chordoma in ferrets
• Physaliphorous cells