Abstract
A myxoid fibrosarcoma in the wing of a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) was treated with radiation therapy and intratumoral chemotherapy with cisplatin. The tumor was treated with a radiation dose of 40 Gy delivered during 22 days on an alternate-day schedule of 4 Gy/fraction and 3 chemotherapy treatments given once weekly at a dose of 0.3 mg of cisplatin per cm3 of tissue. Treatment was effective, and adverse effects were not noted clinically. Complete tumor remission was observed within 2 months after treatment completion, and the remission lasted 15 months until the macaw died of an unrelated cause. A cumulative effect of repeated intratumoral administrations on plasma concentrations of cisplatin was not observed during the course of treatment, although only trough levels were measured. Cisplatin-related systemic toxicities monitored by complete blood count and serum biochemical analysis were not found. Acute local reactions including edema and necrosis of the skin were self-limiting. Treatment complications included a decreased range of motion of the involved carpus. This may have resulted from radiation-induced fibrosis and bony fusion associated with bone remodeling. Results provide preliminary evidence that concurrent irradiation and intralesional chemotherapy may be an effective treatment for unresectable tumors in birds.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 234-238 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - Sep 2002 |
Keywords
- Ara ararauna
- Avian
- Blue and gold macaw
- Chemotherapy
- Cisplatin
- Fibrosarcoma
- Neoplasm
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- veterinary(all)