Tumours in dromedary camels: Prevalence, types and locations

Abstract

The incidence, types and locations of tumours in 9576 dromedary camels were determined at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Qassim University. Grossly, tumour like growth was seen in 75 cases but histopathological examination confirmed the tumour in 59 cases (incidence 59/9576, 0.006%). Types of the tumours diagnosed were squamous cell carcinoma (n=22), fibroma (n=13), adenocarcinoma (n=13), fibromyxosarcoma (n=2), leiomyoma (n=2), angiosarcoma (n=1), schwannoma (n=1), lipoma (n=1), microcystic adnexal carcinoma (n=1), renal cell carcinoma (n=1), sertoli-leydig cell tumour (n=1) and granulosa cell tumour (n=1). These tumours were located at the limbs (n=14), vagina (n=9), abdominal wall (n=8), head (n=7), sacrum (n=4), neck (n=4), intraoral (n=3), cervix (n=2), ovary (n=2), rectum (n=2), uterus (n=1), soft palate (n=1), kidney (n=1) and compartment 3 (n=1). Females were more affected than males (54 vs 5). Age of the affected animals ranged between 4 months to 18 years. In conclusion, squamous cell carcinoma, fibroma and adenocarcinoma are the common types of tumours occurring in camel.