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Vet Pathol 43:890-895 (2006)
© 2006 American College of Veterinary Pathologists

The Pathology of Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) in Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus harrisii)

R. Loh, J. Bergfeld, D. Hayes, A. O'Hara, S. Pyecroft, S. Raidal and R. Sharpe

Animal Health Laboratory, Tasmania, Australia (RL, JB, DH, SP, RS), Division of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia (AO), and School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, New South Wales, Australia (SR)

A disfiguring and debilitating neoplastic condition known as devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) has been discovered in wild Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) across 51% of its natural range, with population declines of up to 80% in some areas (C. Hawkins, personal communication). Between 2001 and 2004, 91 cases were examined. The tumors presented as large, solid, soft tissue masses usually with flattened, centrally ulcerated, and exudative surfaces. They were typically multicentric, appearing first in the oral, face, or neck regions. Histologically, the tumors were composed of circumscribed to infiltrative nodular aggregates of round to spindle-shaped cells, often within a pseudocapsule and divided into lobules by delicate fibrous septae. They were locally aggressive and metastasized in 65% of cases. There was minimal cytologic differentiation among the tumor cell population under light and electron microscopic examination. The results indicate DFTD to be an undifferentiated soft tissue neoplasm.

Key words: Devil facial tumor disease; naturally occurring neoplasm; Sarcophilus harrisii; soft tissue; Tasmanian Devil.

Request reprints from Richmond Loh, Animal Health Laboratory, PO Box 46, Kings Meadows 7249, Tasmania, (Australia). E-mail: Richmond.Loh{at}dpiw.tas.gov.au




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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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