Reptile neoplasms with an emphasis on squamous and basal cell carcinomas

Korte beschrijving

Reptiles are commonly kept in captivity and routinely presented in veterinary practice. Neoplastic disease seems to be diagnosed with increasing frequency in captive reptiles, with snakes and lizards being more commonly affected than chelonians and crocodilians. This apparently increasing incidence of neoplastic disorders in captive reptiles can be linked to their longer lifespans, the fact that reptile owners more readily seek veterinary advice and the availability of improved diagnostic tools. Additionally, the development of certain neoplasms in reptiles seems to be associated with environmental and genetic factors as well as viral infections. As in other taxa, the processes of diagnosing, staging, and grading are also essential in the management of neoplasms in reptiles. However, considerable gaps exist in our current knowledge about these oncological aspects in reptiles.