Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treating recurring skin cancer in an African grey parrot
By Adair, Jordan E & Riggs, Gary L·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2022·NorthCoast Bird and Exotic Specialty Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of Recurrent Multifocal Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in an African Grey Parrot () with Intralesional Carboplatin in Poloxamer 407.
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 16-year-old male Congo African grey parrot was brought in with an ulcerated mass on its wing, which was found to be squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer. After surgery to remove the tumor, the parrot enjoyed over 5 years without any signs of cancer. However, it later developed new SCCs in three other areas, which could not be completely removed. Instead, the vet treated these with a special chemotherapy injection and laser therapy, successfully resolving all three SCCs over the following months. The parrot remained healthy throughout the treatment, living for over 2900 days after the initial diagnosis.
People also search for: African grey parrot cancer treatment · squamous cell carcinoma in birds · parrot skin tumor surgery
Abstract
A 16-year-old male Congo African grey parrot () was presented with an ulcerated wing mass that was excised and diagnosed on histopathology as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A second surgery was performed to completely excise the tumor margins, resulting in over 5 years of remission for the neoplasm. However, over the next 6 years the patient developed SCC in 3 new locations on the body, as well as 2 squamous papillomas. The 2 papillomas were surgically excised and did not recur. Due to their size and location, none of the 3 new SCCs were amenable to complete excision. Instead, the 3 SCCs were managed with a series of treatments with intralesional carboplatin in poloxamer 407 and carbon dioxide surgical laser debridements. This treatment regimen has resulted in long-term (52 months, 30 months, and 17 months) resolution for all 3 of the SCCs. The overall survival time for the patient, from the initial diagnosis to the time of this report, is over 2900 days. While being treated for the 3 SCCs, the African grey parrot had no overt signs of complications or adverse side effects.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35972873/