Soft tissue sarcoma in a short‐beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Abstract

Reports of neoplasia in prototherian mammals (monotremes) are rare. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of such a tumour in a monotreme species and the first immunohistochemical characterisation of a stromal tumour in these animals. The malignant nature of this tumour contrasts with a previous report of benign neoplasia (fibroma) associated with the beak. Although rare, malignant neoplasia should be included in the differential diagnoses of mass lesions in monotremes, despite inflammatory or traumatic mass lesions being more commonly reported.

In this issue – September 2018: Identification of commercial piggeries using aerial photographs and image analysis • Destruction of foot‐and‐mouth disease virus in carcases in the field • Size of the Australian goat industry • P4 and fertility after AI in extensively managed Bos indicus cattle • Antimuellerian hormone levels not recommended in young bitches • A sarcoma on an echidna beak

“…Documentation of tumours in monotremes is rare. In this case report an adult male short‐beaked echidna was found to be weak and in poor body condition with a 25 × 12 mm round, ulcerated bleeding mass at the base of the beak . Because differential diagnosis included abscess, granulomatous tissue or a non‐infectious inflammatory process, surgical excision was performed.…”