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2 March 2018 Prevalence of Urogenital Carcinoma in Stranded California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) from 2005–15
Alissa C. Deming, Kathleen M. Colegrove, Padraig J. Duignan, Ailsa J. Hall, James F. X. Wellehan, Frances M. D. Gulland
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Abstract

Urogenital carcinoma is common in wild California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) along the west coast of the US. From 1979 to 1994, this cancer was observed in 18% (66/370) of necropsied subadult and adult sea lions at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. A retrospective review of records from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2015 was performed to characterize prevalence and characteristics of cancer over this decade. Fourteen percent (263/1917) of necropsied sea lions had cancer, of which 90% (237/263) were urogenital carcinoma. The prevalence of urogenital carcinoma was significantly higher in adults compared to juveniles and subadults. Advanced-stage disease with metastases was identified histologically in 78% (182/232) of cases and was the cause of death in 95% (172/182) of these cases. Metastases were most common in lung and lymph nodes, and hydronephrosis, secondary to ureter obstruction by metastases, was identified in 62% (114/185) of animals with advanced disease. No significant temporal change in prevalence was detected over the decade, and this highly aggressive, fatal cancer remains common in stranded California sea lions.

© Wildlife Disease Association 2018
Alissa C. Deming, Kathleen M. Colegrove, Padraig J. Duignan, Ailsa J. Hall, James F. X. Wellehan, and Frances M. D. Gulland "Prevalence of Urogenital Carcinoma in Stranded California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) from 2005–15," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 54(3), 581-586, (2 March 2018). https://doi.org/10.7589/2017-08-208
Received: 27 August 2017; Accepted: 22 December 2017; Published: 2 March 2018
KEYWORDS
California sea lions
cancer
stranding
urogenital carcinoma
Zalophus californianus
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