A REVIEW OF NEOPLASIA IN PROSIMIANS IN HUMAN CARE FROM 1995 TO 2022

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Primate Oncology
• Zoological Medicine

Background:

• Limited data exists on neoplasia in prosimians, with the last comprehensive study in 2009 using single-institution data.
• Understanding tumor types and behavior in captive prosimians is crucial for health management and conservation efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively analyze a large dataset of histologically diagnosed neoplasms in prosimians from a nondomestic species pathology service.
• To identify common tumor types, affected species, and organ systems in prosimians in human care.
• To compare findings with previous literature and report novel tumor occurrences in prosimian species.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of archived histological diagnoses of neoplasia in prosimians from 1995 to 2022.
• Data primarily sourced from zoological institutions via a nondomestic species pathology service.
• Inclusion of a literature review for cases reported since 2009.

Main Results:

• A total of 153 neoplasms from 109 individuals were identified, predominantly in Lemuridae species (e.g., ring-tailed lemurs, ruffed lemurs).
• The digestive (32.0%), reproductive (22.9%), and integumentary (19.6%) systems were most frequently affected.
• Hepatocellular neoplasia (22.9%), particularly carcinoma, and mammary neoplasia (16.3%) were common, often showing aggressive behavior and metastasis.

Conclusions:

• Prosimians in human care, especially Lemuridae, are susceptible to various neoplasms, with a notable prevalence of aggressive hepatocellular and mammary tumors.
• Findings suggest a potential predisposition to hepatocellular carcinoma in prosimians and highlight the aggressive nature of many neoplasms.
• This study provides valuable data for enhancing captive prosimian health management and identifying trends in zoological collections.