Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Green iguana with eye area iridophoroma tumor treated by surgery
By Rousselet, Estelle et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2017·Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cutaneous iridophoroma in a Green iguana ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬(Iguana iguana)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬.
- Species:
- reptile
Plain-English summary
An 11-year-old male Green iguana was brought in for a mass near his right eye, which was suspected to be a type of skin tumor called an iridophoroma. Tests showed no signs of the tumor spreading, but the mass was difficult to remove completely without affecting the eye. The iguana recovered well after surgery, and a year later, the area had healed nicely. Although radiation therapy was suggested, it was not carried out. This case highlights the importance of early treatment for skin tumors in reptiles.
People also search for: iguana eye mass treatment · green iguana skin tumor · reptile skin problems
Abstract
An 11-year-old intact male Green iguana (Iguana iguana) was referred for treatment of a probable iridophoroma based on previous cytopathology. A periocular mass was present near the right medial canthus. Computed tomography did not show any sign of metastasis. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included lymphopenia and hyperproteinemia. Cytologic and histologic evaluations of the mass were consistent with iridophoroma. Complete surgical excision of the mass was not possible without removal of the orbit due to local tissue involvement. Recovery and suture removal were unremarkable. Adjunctive radiation therapy was recommended, but not performed. A year later, the surgical site had healed well. To our knowledge, this is the first reported chromatophoroma cytopathology in a Green iguana. Chromatophoromas should be included in the differential diagnoses of pigmented skin tumors in reptiles. Early surgical excision is useful to limit local tissue destruction and metastatic potential.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28815678/