Intratumoral chemotherapy in an integumentary squamous cell carcinoma in a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

Abstract

An eight-year-old, female cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) was presented with anorexia, lethargy, a mass at the lower side of the wing and discoloration of the feathers. Physical examination showed an ulcerated nodular integumentary lesion of approximately 4 cm³ ventromedial on the wing at the side of the propatagium and the humerus. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs revealed only hepatomegaly. After a stabilization period, surgical excision of the tumor was performed. Based on histopathological evaluation and bacterial culture of the surgically removed tissue, the lesion was typed as an integumentary squamous cell carcinoma with secondary bacterial infection (Corynebacterium sp). Four weeks postoperative, the tumor had recurred. Chemotherapeutic treatment was started with intratumoral carboplatin (1.5 mg/cm³) once a week. Because of further tumor growth after the second administration of carboplatin, resection of the mass was performed before the next infiltration. However, the bird died during anesthesia. Despite increase in tumor size, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations showed degeneration of the tumor with intercellular edema and vacuolization of the tumor cells, presumably resulting from carboplatin administration. More research is needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the intratumoral administration of carboplatin as a treatment option in birds with integumentary squamous cell carcinoma.