Spontaneous Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Golden Hamster: A Rare Case with Ultrasonographic Detection and Cytopathological Confirmation

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm originating from hepatocytes. Although this neoplastic disease occurs spontaneously in various animal species, it is particularly well documented in rodent models used in hepatocarcinogenesis research. Spontaneous occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in hamsters is extremely rare and most published cases occur under experimental carcinogenic conditions. Naturally occurring hepatocellular carcinoma in domestic hamsters is rare and its clinical and pathologic features are poorly described in the veterinary literature. In this case report, we present a rare case of spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma in a 2-year-old intact female golden hamster and emphasize the diagnostic findings based on ultrasonographic evaluation and cytopathologic confirmation. Given the rarity of spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma in hamsters, each documented case adds meaningful data to the understanding of the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach and pathologic features in this species. In addition, the scientific significance of this case report is the inclusion of abdominal ultrasonographic features in a hamster with pathologically confirmed spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma.