Diagnosis and surgical treatment of reptilian neoplasms with a compilation of cases 1966-1993.

Neoplasia is not rare in lower vertebrates, and the tumour types closely resemble those observed in mammals. Because of some unique anatomical and cytological features found only in reptiles, a few unusual types of neoplasia that are not seen in mammals occur in reptiles. Diagnosis and surgical treatment of benign and malignant spontaneous tumours and leukaemias generally parallel the methods employed in mammals; these include radiographic and other forms of non-invasive imaging, fine-needle and excisional biopsy, exfoliative cytology, and haematology. Treatment consisting of conventional sharp excisional, radiofrequency, and cryosurgical techniques are most often employed. Histopathologically confirmed tumours diagnosed in snakes, lizards, and chelonians during the 27-year period between 1 January 1966 and 31 December, 1993 were enumerated and, where appropriate, the epidemiological, pathophysiological, and biological features of these cases were investigated.