Loh R, Bergfeld J, Hayes D, O'hara A, Pyecroft S, Raidal S, Sharpe R
Animal Health Laboratory, PO Box 46, Kings Meadows 7249, Tasmania, Australia.
Vet Pathol. 2006 Nov;43(6):890-5. doi: 10.1354/vp.43-6-890.
A disfiguring and debilitating neoplastic condition known as devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) has been discovered in wild Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) across 51% of its natural range, with population declines of up to 80% in some areas (C. Hawkins, personal communication). Between 2001 and 2004, 91 cases were examined. The tumors presented as large, solid, soft tissue masses usually with flattened, centrally ulcerated, and exudative surfaces. They were typically multicentric, appearing first in the oral, face, or neck regions. Histologically, the tumors were composed of circumscribed to infiltrative nodular aggregates of round to spindle-shaped cells, often within a pseudocapsule and divided into lobules by delicate fibrous septae. They were locally aggressive and metastasized in 65% of cases. There was minimal cytologic differentiation among the tumor cell population under light and electron microscopic examination. The results indicate DFTD to be an undifferentiated soft tissue neoplasm.
在塔斯马尼亚恶魔（袋獾）的整个自然分布范围内，51%的地区发现了一种名为袋獾面部肿瘤病（DFTD）的毁容性和致残性肿瘤疾病，某些地区的种群数量下降了80%（C. 霍金斯，个人交流）。在2001年至2004年期间，检查了91个病例。肿瘤表现为大的、实性的软组织肿块，通常表面扁平、中央溃疡且有渗出物。它们通常是多中心的，首先出现在口腔、面部或颈部区域。组织学上，肿瘤由圆形至梭形细胞的局限性至浸润性结节状聚集物组成，通常位于假包膜内，并由纤细的纤维间隔分成小叶。它们具有局部侵袭性，65%的病例发生转移。在光镜和电镜检查下，肿瘤细胞群体之间的细胞学分化极小。结果表明DFTD是一种未分化的软组织肿瘤。
