Treatment of malignant lymphoma in an African lion (Panthera leo).
A 14 yr-old male, vasectomized African lion (Panthera leo) exhibited mild weight loss despite adequate appetite. Splenomegaly was diagnosed on physical examination. On the basis of hematology and clinical pathology, malignant lymphoma with chronic lymphocytic leukemia was diagnosed. Abdominal exploratory surgery and splenectomy were performed. Histologic examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed a small cell peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Initial treatments consisted of doxorubicin and prednisone, with later addition of lomustine. The lion remained in clinical remission at 2 mo, 6 mo, and 12 mo postchemotherapy physical examinations. The lion survived 504 days from initial diagnosis. At necropsy, the only lesions consistent with lymphoma were localized epitheliotrophic infiltrates of small neoplastic T lymphocytes within the nasopharyngeal epithelium and the underlying submucosa observed on microscopic examination.
Potter Park Zoo, 1301 South Pennsylvania, Lansing, Michigan 48912, USA. tharriso@ci.lansing.mi.us
Tara M
TM
Harrison
James
J
Sikarskie
Barbara
B
Kitchell
Diana S
DS
Rosenstein
Heather
H
Flaherty
Scott D
SD
Fitzgerald
Matti
M
Kiupel
D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008045:Lions; D016411:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome