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1 January 2010 Treatment of an Amelanotic Melanoma Using Radiation Therapy in a Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec (Echinops telfairi)
Tara M. Harrison, Pedro Dominguez, Kim Hanzlik, James G. Sikarskie, Dalen Agnew, Ingrid Bergin, Scott D. Fitzgerald, Barbara E. Kitchell, Elizabeth McNiel
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Abstract

A 15-yr-old, male lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi) presented with a mass caudal to the right ear. Cytology suggested a sarcoma. Surgical removal was attempted. Histology was consistent with a soft tissue sarcoma. The mass recurred within 331 days post operation. Radiation therapy was initiated. Computed tomography was used for staging in conjunction with three-dimensional computerized treatment planning software to permit accurate lesion localization and to optimize normal tissue sparing. A total dose of 6,480 cGy was administered in 24 fractions over 46 days. Transient hind limb paresis developed during the course of the radiation therapy, but resolved after 7 days with prednisone treatment. Minimal acute radiation toxicity was observed. The mass responded with at least a 90% reduction in volume following radiation treatment. The animal survived 266 days from the initiation of treatment. On necropsy, a small mass and granulation tissue were found at the site of the initial neoplasm, indicating good regional control of the tumor; however, extensive metastases to the spleen and liver were present. Immunohistochemically, the original, recurrent, and metastatic populations were strongly positive for HMB 45 and weakly positive for S-100, and the final diagnosis was metastatic amelanotic melanoma.

Tara M. Harrison, Pedro Dominguez, Kim Hanzlik, James G. Sikarskie, Dalen Agnew, Ingrid Bergin, Scott D. Fitzgerald, Barbara E. Kitchell, and Elizabeth McNiel "Treatment of an Amelanotic Melanoma Using Radiation Therapy in a Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec (Echinops telfairi)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 41(1), 152-157, (1 January 2010). https://doi.org/10.1638/2008-0215.1
Received: 23 December 2008; Published: 1 January 2010
KEYWORDS
Insectivore
melanoma
radiation therapy
sarcoma
tenrec
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