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Squamous cell carcinoma with hepatic metastasis in a saltwater crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus )
Author(s) -
Hill AG,
Dennis MM,
Pyne M
Publication year - 2016
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.12404
Subject(s) - crocodylus , crocodile , metastasis , pathology , basal cell , biology , medicine , anatomy , cancer , ecology
Background Squamous cell carcinomas ( SCC ) are uncommon in reptiles and there have been few reports of neoplasia in Australian crocodiles, despite increased numbers being raised in captivity. Case report We report a locally invasive SCC in the hindlimb of a wild‐caught saltwater crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus ) with hepatic metastasis. The gross appearance was soft tissue swelling adjacent to the nail bed, progressing to abscessation incorporating multiple toes. Diagnosis was achieved by biopsy during amputation of the affected toes. Hepatic metastasis was identified at necropsy, with a similar gross appearance resembling an abscess. Clinical significance Neoplasia is an uncommon finding in crocodilians and metastatic neoplasia is rarely documented. This is the first report of SCC in a crocodilian.