"TERATOCARCINOMATOSIS" IN AN EMU (DROMAIUS NOVAEHOLLANDIAE)

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2015 Sep;46(3):633-6. doi: 10.1638/2015-0054.1.

Abstract

An adult female emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) with no previous abnormal clinical signs was found dead in its stall. A postmortem examination revealed carcinomatosis of unknown origin. Histopathology identified the masses as teratomas with malignant transformation by the presence of poorly differentiated tissue and dissemination throughout the coelomic cavity. We propose a new term, "teratocarcinomatosis," for this finding. This is the first case of a reproductive tumor described in an emu and the first case of such marked spread of malignant teratomas in a bird.

Keywords: Carcinomatosis; Dromaius novaehollandiae; emu; malignant teratoma; teratocarcinomatosis; teratoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Bird Diseases / pathology*
  • Dromaiidae*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / pathology
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / veterinary*
  • Teratocarcinoma / pathology
  • Teratocarcinoma / veterinary*