From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2006-12-18 15:45:00 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: bump on tail.
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/chordoma.html
Carried to the list with author's permission:
BEGIN QUOTE
Chordomas are the most common musculoskeletal neoplasm of the domestic ferret. While
classically found at the tip of the tail, chordomas have also been reported in the cervical
spine. These neoplasms arise from remnants of primitive notochord found in the spinal
column. They are locally aggressive, infiltrative neoplasms which destroy the vertebral
body and invade adjacent tissues. For this reason, chordomas arising in the cervical spinal
column inevitably result in limited cervical range of motion and neurologic deficits.
Chordomas at the tail tip, while unsightly, cause little debility.
While all chordomas are considered potentially malignant, metastasis is uncommon and
has not yet been reported in chordomas arising at the tail tip.
Chordomas have also been seen in the rat (which has a high rate of pulmonary
metastasis), the cat, and man. Chordoma in the ferret is very similar to chordoma in man,
which is also primarily found in the coccygeal region.
END QUOTE
Highly recommended:
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/PDF/neoplasia.pdf
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/ferret.path.html
quoted with permission:
BEGIN QUOTE
Chordoma.
Synopsis: Chordomas are the most common neoplasm of the musculoskeletal system of
the ferret. They arise in or adjacent to vertebra from remnants of primitive notochord, and
are most commonly seen at the tip of the tail. Chordomas have also been documented in
cervical spine. Early reports mischaracterized this neoplasm as a chondrosarcoma, and this
mistake is still repeated by pathologists who are unfamiliar with ferret tissue. Chordomas
are considered potentially malignant, however, metastasis has not been seen in neoplasms
arising in the tail. Cutaneous metastasis was reported in one chordoma from the cervical
spine.
Gross lesions: Chordomas are most commonly seen as club-like swellings at the tip of the
tail which involve the last caudal vertebra. Cervical chordomas present as lytic neoplasms
in the neck of animals with posterior paresis. Physical exam shows a markedly decreased
range of motion and pain upon movement of the neck.
Microscopic lesions: Chordomas are locally aggressive neoplasms which often infiltrate
vertebral bodies. The neoplasm is composed of foamy "physaliferous cells" which are
separated by a moderate amount of myxomatous matrix. There are multifocal areas of
well-differentiated cartilage and bone within these neoplasms.
END QUOTE
Removal is usually recommended.
One tip: we have found that when amputations have to be done it is not unusual for the
soft tissue to retract over time so leaving a large soft tissue pad on the end is
recommended to minimize the chances of having to have more removed in the future.
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