Oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas in zoo-managed Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii)

Background

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OCSCCs) are relatively common in multiple non-human primate species but are poorly documented in Goeldi's monkeys.

Methods

Four Goeldi's monkeys with OCSCC, from three zoological collections, underwent necropsy with cytology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and pan-herpesvirus PCR analysis.

Results

All animals were euthanised and exhibited poor-to-emaciated body condition. Three OCSCCs arose from the maxillary oral mucosa and a single OCSCC was primarily mandibular, with bone invasion evident in three cases. Histologically, one OCSCC in situ was diagnosed, whilst the rest were typically invasive OCSCCs. Neoplastic cells were immunopositive for pancytokeratin and E-cadherin. All examined cases were negative for regional lymph node (RLN) and/or distant metastases, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) immunoexpression, and panherpesvirus PCR expression.

Conclusions

OCSCCs in Goeldi's monkeys may be deeply invasive, but not readily metastatic. No herpesvirus-association or COX-2 expression was evident; the latter suggesting that NSAIDs are unlikely to be a viable chemotherapeutic treatment.