Anaplastic Sarcoma and Sertoli Cell Tumor in a Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
A 5-yr-old male central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented for investigation of blood in the voided urates. A small cutaneous mass was detected in the gular region, but the clinical examination was otherwise unremarkable. Fecal parasitology was negative. Initially, further diagnostics were declined and antimicrobial treatment was initiated. At re-examination 1 month later, the gular mass had increased in size and an additional mass was detected within the coelomic cavity. Both masses were surgically excised and diagnosed by histopathology as a high-grade anaplastic sarcoma (gular mass), resembling a histiocytic sarcoma, and a Sertoli cell tumor (coelomic mass). Neither of these have been previously reported in the central bearded dragon. Twenty months post-surgery, the lizard remains well with no recurrence of clinical signs or evidence of tumor re-growth.Abstract
Blood smear images from this central bearded dragon. A: Normal heterophil with fully granulated cytoplasm. B–E: Toxic heterophils with varying degrees of decreased granulation and basophilic cytoplasm. F: Giant toxic heterophil with decreased granulation and cytoplasmic basophilia. G–J: Severely toxic heterophils with toxic granulation (dark purple). K: Small and medium lymphocytes. L: Medium lymphocyte with basophilic cytoplasm and finely granular chromatin. M: Plasmacytoid lymphocyte. Modified Wright's stain, ×100 oil objective.
Dorsoventral radiograph. Arrowhead: gular mass. Arrow: coelomic mass.
Sertoli cell tumor expanding the right testicle, exposed via a paramedian coeliotomy incision.
Anaplastic sarcoma in the gular region.
Seminiferous tubules are expanded by neoplastic Sertoli cells and separated by prominent fibrous tissue, which in some areas is infiltrated by neoplastic cells. Testicular Sertoli cell tumor, bearded dragon, hematoxylin and eosin stain. Bar = 500 µm. Inset: neoplastic Sertoli cells fill seminiferous tubules. Bar = 100 µm.
Sheets of anaplastic polygonal to spindloid cells demonstrating karyomegaly and cytomegaly with occasional multinucleated giant cells. Bi- and trinucleated cells indicated by arrowheads. Dermal high-grade anaplastic sarcoma, bearded dragon, hematoxylin and eosin stain. Bar = 50 µm.
