Cutaneous mast cell tumors in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

Seven cutaneous mast cell tumors were identified in 6 geriatric California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). All tumors were within the dermis and grossly appeared as single, or in one case two, less than 1-cm-diameter, well-circumscribed, raised nodules. The majority (6/7) of the neoplasms occurred near mucocutaneous junctions (eyelid, lip, or anus). The mast cell tumors were composed of round cells arranged in sheets with poorly granulated cytoplasm or an absence of cytoplasmic granules in routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Cytology (n = 1) showed adequate staining of mast cell granules with Diff-Quik and Wright-Giemsa stains. Immunohistochemistry for cKIT revealed cytoplasmic to membranous immunoreactivity in all tumors. Giemsa staining for metachromatic granules was inconsistent. No local recurrence or metastasis has been observed in the 5 living individuals with follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 42 months. Given these findings, similar poorly granulated mast cell tumors in geriatric California sea lions are suspected to have biologically benign behavior.