IRIDIUM 192 (192-Ir) HIGH DOSE RATE BRACHYTHERAPY IN A CENTRAL BEARDED DRAGON (POGONA VITTICEPS) WITH ROSTRAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Abstract: A 0.5-kg, 9-yr-old, male central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presented with a proliferative mass (0.4 × 0.2 inches) on the left rostral aspect of the lower lip. Physical examination, blood work, and whole-body radiography did not reveal any other abnormalities. Histopathology confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. Considering the small size of the tumor, absence of deep tissue infiltration, and its radioresponsive characteristics, iridium 192 high dose rate brachytherapy was attempted. The dragon initially received three doses of 4 Gy/site at days 0, 7, and 17. Recurrence developed 3 mo later. Three more fractions of 6 Gy/site at days 0, 7, and 14 were delivered according to the same procedure. A second recurrence appeared after 2 mo. Surgical excision was then performed, followed by four fractions of 6 Gy/site on the surgical site at 2-wk intervals. Sixteen months posttreatment, no recurrence of the mass was observed.

[1]  Z. Knotek,et al.  A survey of diseases in captive bearded dragons: a retrospective study of 529 patients , 2017 .

[2]  S. Rivera,et al.  NEOPLASIA IN SNAKES AT ZOO ATLANTA DURING 1992–2012 , 2017, Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.

[3]  W. Van Bonn,et al.  CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN A PANTHER CHAMELEON (FURCIFER PARDALIS) AND TREATMENT WITH CARBOPLATIN IMPLANTABLE BEADS , 2016, Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.

[4]  M. Dennis,et al.  Squamous cell carcinoma with hepatic metastasis in a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). , 2016, Australian veterinary journal.

[5]  A. Baldi,et al.  Surgery and electrochemotherapy for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in a yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta). , 2015, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

[6]  S. Pellett,et al.  Squamous cell carcinoma in a central bearded dragon , 2014 .

[7]  D. Eshar,et al.  Diagnosis and treatment of a periocular myxosarcoma in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). , 2014, The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne.

[8]  James C. Steeil,et al.  DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF A PHARYNGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN A MADAGASCAR GROUND BOA (BOA MADAGASCARIENSIS) , 2013, Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

[9]  R. Klopfleisch,et al.  Non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in two Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni) , 2012 .

[10]  M. Garner,et al.  Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps) , 2011 .

[11]  C. Harms,et al.  Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Vascular Invasion in a Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) , 2010, Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine.

[12]  J. Sykes,et al.  REPTILE NEOPLASIA AT THE PHILADELPHIA ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN, 1901–2002 , 2006, Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

[13]  J. Orós,et al.  Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in two loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta. , 2004, Diseases of aquatic organisms.

[14]  L. Hazley,et al.  Squamous cell carcinoma in a tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) , 2002, New Zealand veterinary journal.

[15]  T. Kern,et al.  Squamous cell carcinoma associated with a periorbital mass in a veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). , 2002, Veterinary ophthalmology.

[16]  M K Klein,et al.  Photodynamic therapy of spontaneous cancers in felines, canines, and snakes with chloro-aluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine. , 1991, Journal of the National Cancer Institute.