A wide range of neoplastic diseases have been documented in Australian mammals.
Some species, such as the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and dasyurids, are highly susceptible to neoplasia whereas others, such as monotremes, wombats, bats and dugong (Dugong dugon), are rarely affected.
Some neoplastic diseases are particularly significant because of their frequency, potential effect on population health or unusual pathogenesis. This chapter will focus on these in more detail (Table 18.1). Outside of these conditions there is an enormous range of reported neoplasms in Australian mammals, a review of which is included in this chapter. Clinical and pathological aspects of neoplasia in Australian mammals are also covered in Vogelnest and Woods (2008) and Ladds (2009) respectively.Clinical management of neoplastic disease, including diagnosis, surgical intervention (see Chapter 10), and palliation follows the principles described and utilised in comparative domestic animals. Where specific examples of treatment in Australian mammals are available they will be discussed within the relevant taxonomic section in this chapter. However, care should be exercised when considering therapy in Australian mammals. Evidence that chemotherapy can improve outcomes in these species is absent (see Chapters 11 and 39) and careful consideration should be given to the welfare implications of complex and lengthy treatments.
1.