Neoplasia of reptiles with an emphasis on lizards Sonia M. Hernandez-Divers, DVM, Michael M. Garner, DVM, DACVP  Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice  Volume 6, Issue 1, Pages 251-273 (January 2003) DOI: 10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2

Fig. 1 Liver of a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) affected by hepatic carcinoma. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 2003 6, 251-273DOI: (10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2)

Fig. 2 Hematopoeitic tumors are the most common tumor in lizards. H&E stain of a section of small intestine in a Savannah monitor with lymphoma (20×). The lymphoid infiltrate has effaced the entire mucosal wall of the intestine. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 2003 6, 251-273DOI: (10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2)

Fig. 3 A biopsy of this grossly enlarged limb of a Uromastyx sp. Yielded a diagnosis of fibrosarcoma. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 2003 6, 251-273DOI: (10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2)

Fig. 4 For small lizards, complete submersion of the entire carcass into 10% buffered formalin is appropriate for submission; however, the coelomic cavity should be opened to allow for proper fixation of tissues. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 2003 6, 251-273DOI: (10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2)

Fig. 5 (a) Oral abscesses are common in lizards. (b) However, the list of differential diagnoses for oral masses should include neoplasia. Once overlying purulent exudate was removed, a biopsy of this mass (small arrow) on the maxilla of a green iguana (Iguana iguana) was diagnosed as lymphoma. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 2003 6, 251-273DOI: (10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2)

Fig. 5 (a) Oral abscesses are common in lizards. (b) However, the list of differential diagnoses for oral masses should include neoplasia. Once overlying purulent exudate was removed, a biopsy of this mass (small arrow) on the maxilla of a green iguana (Iguana iguana) was diagnosed as lymphoma. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 2003 6, 251-273DOI: (10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2)

Fig. 6 A mass diagnosed as a fibrosarcoma (small arrow) near the gallbladder of a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Fibrosarcomas in lizards are locally invasive but slow to metastisize. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 2003 6, 251-273DOI: (10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2)

Fig. 7 Skin tumors are common in lizards. Amelanotic melanoma on the skin of a Savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus). Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 2003 6, 251-273DOI: (10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2)

Fig. 8 Papillomatous lesions in lacertid lizards have been associated with a poxvirus. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 2003 6, 251-273DOI: (10.1016/S1094-9194(02)00028-2)