Malignant Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumour in a Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

SummaryNeuroectodermal tumours in man, including medulloblastoma, medulloepithelioma, neuroblastoma, esthesioneuroblastoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumour and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour, typically occur in children and young adults. These tumour types are occasionally observed in juvenile and adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) either as induced tumours in carcinogen-exposed zebrafish or as an incidental finding in zebrafish ≥ 2 years of age. An adult zebrafish submitted for routine histological examination was sent for a second opinion consultation after an uncharacteristic brain mass was identified. Microscopically, the expansile and infiltrative extracortical mass arising from the cerebellum had a diffuse microcystic pattern with solid hypercellular regions occupying 80% of the extrameningeal space and effacing the endomeninx and significantly displacing the metencephalon. The mass was composed of dense sheets of oligodendrocyte-like cells, random neurons and pseudocysts containing ‘floating neurons’ within a scant mucinous matrix. Neoplastic cells demonstrated positive perinuclear and intracytoplasmic expression of S-100. Malignant dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour was diagnosed based on the histological features of the brain mass, which were indistinguishable from the human tumour. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour in a zebrafish.