Xanthoma in different species - an unusual tumor with many faces.

Xanthoma is an interesting, inflammatory, noncancerous lesion that is rarely diagnosed in companion animals, although it has been reported in a number of domestic and wild species. Macroscopically, it can range from a few millimeter plaques or nodules to even several-centimeter masses. It usually occurs within the skin, but has been diagnosed in almost all other internal systems and organs. As the name suggests, xanthoma most often is of yellow color, but whitish and red forms are also encountered. Although inconspicuous, the presence of xanthoma is often reflected in disorders of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, which affects the entire body. Therefore, in patients with even a small xanthoma on the skin, coexisting metabolic and endocrine disorders should be excluded, such as: hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolaemia, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes.