Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Radiation treatment for eye lymphoma in a blue-and-gold macaw
By Alexander, Amy B et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2017·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Radiation Therapy of Periorbital Lymphoma in a Blue-and-Gold Macaw (Ara ararauna).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A male blue-and-gold macaw was brought in for a check-up due to a mass around his right eye. Tests confirmed he had a type of cancer called periorbital lymphoma. To help him, the veterinarian used radiation therapy, which successfully shrank the tumor over three weeks. The macaw handled the treatment well, kept his vision, and showed improved activity and appetite. Unfortunately, he passed away three months later, but the treatment did help reduce the tumor during his care.
People also search for: macaw eye tumor treatment · lymphoma in birds · radiation therapy for macaw cancer
Abstract
An adult male blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) was presented for evaluation of a right periorbital mass. Results of diagnostic tests, including periorbital ultrasound, fine-needle aspirate, and cytologic examination, confirmed a diagnosis of periocular lymphoma. Radiographs were suggestive of disseminated disease but because of concerns about the patient's quality of life, localized radiation therapy to address the periorbital disease was pursued. Coarse-fractionated radiation therapy was initiated, and the mass regressed rapidly during the 3-week course of treatment. The macaw tolerated the treatments well, maintained vision in the affected eye, and activity level and appetite improved. Three months after treatment was completed, the bird died. Necropsy revealed T-cell-rich B-cell-infiltrative lymphoma of the spleen, liver, and kidneys, with some residual neoplastic cells found in the right periorbital region. This case demonstrates a radiation therapy protocol that reduced a tumor mass in a localized treatment of periorbital lymphoma in a macaw.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28358607/