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Gastric adenocarcinoma in a diamond python ( M orelia spilota spilota )
Author(s) -
Baron HR,
Allavena R,
Melville LM,
Doneley RJT
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12233
Subject(s) - histopathology , stomach , biopsy , pathology , lumen (anatomy) , medicine , adenocarcinoma , anatomy , gastroenterology , cancer
Case report A 5‐year‐old captive male diamond python ( M orelia spilota spilota ) was presented with a 1‐month history of regurgitation and anorexia and discrete coelomic distention. Physical examination revealed a firm, immobile mass at approximately two‐thirds of the snout–vent length from the front of the head. Ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspirate biopsy of the mass in the region of the stomach showed necrosis with bacterial infiltration and possibly neoplastic changes. A gastroscopy was conducted, but showed grossly normal gastric mucosa, confirmed by biopsy. On exploratory coeliotomy, it was confirmed the mass involved most of the stomach wall and occluded the gastric lumen. The mass was completely excised and based on histopathology, a diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma was made. The snake was found dead 12 h postoperatively, but no specific cause of death was found on postmortem examination. Conclusion Most cases of adenocarcinoma in snakes go undiagnosed. This case report illustrates that the architecture of gastric masses may lead to false‐negative gastric biopsy results in snakes with neoplasia.