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Spontaneous neoplasia in lions (Panthera leo): combined retrospective case series and literature review

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Abstract

Introduction: Lions (Panthera leo) are a key charismatic zoo species, but the scientific literature concerning neoplastic disease is scattered with limited reviews.
Materials and methods: One-hundred-and-forty neoplasms from 133 lions (0.5 to 26 years old) were reviewed from IZVG Pathology, Easter Bush Pathology and current scientific literature (31 peer-reviewed publications, using Google Scholar/Pubmed keywords: “Panthera leo”, “tumor”, and “neoplasia”).
Results: In 61.7% of individuals, neoplasia led to death or was life-threatening without treatment. 39.8% of all tumours metastasized. Primary neoplasms most frequently arose from mammary glands (17.1%), skin (15.7%) and lymph nodes or spleen (13.6%). Metastasized organs included liver (24.3%), lymph nodes (20.0%), spleen (15.0%), and lung (14.3%). Malignant/benign tumours comprised 76.4%/23.6%, respectively. Mammary gland adenocarcinoma [MGA] (15.7%) and lymphoma (15.0%) were most common. Skin (29% fibrosarcoma, 29% epithelial, 20% melanocytic, 10% piloleiomyosarcoma), parathyroid gland (adenoma), gallbladder (adenocarcinoma/adenoma: 60%/40%), intestines (adenocarcinoma), mammary gland (all malignant epithelial), testes (germ cell/stroma) and bone (osteosarcoma/myeloma) exhibited only primary tumours. Mean ages of specified African (n = 50), white African (n = 6) and Asian lions (n = 19) were 16, 12 and 12.6 years, respectively. Barbary lions (n = 3) were all >16 years old. Females dominated sex ratios in African (62%), and white African populations (100%). By subspecies the commonest tumours were: African: MGA (27.3%); white African: cutaneous mesenchymal tumours (57.1%); and Asians: haemangiosarcoma (42.1%). Three Barbary lions exhibited respectively MGA (pulmonary/hepatic/splenic/renal metastasis), uterine adenocarcinoma (pulmonary metastasis) and splenic erythrophagocytic T-cell lymphoma (nodal metastasis).
Conclusions: Metastasizng malignant neoplasms of mammary gland and lymphoid origin are dominant in lions (>12 years).
Original languageEnglish
Pages52-53
Number of pages1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2023
Event2022 esvp-ecvp Annnual meeting - Athens, Greece
Duration: 7 Sept 202210 Sept 2022
https://esvp-ecvp2022.frei.gr/

Conference

Conference2022 esvp-ecvp Annnual meeting
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityAthens
Period7/09/2210/09/22
Internet address

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