Metastasizing adenocarcinoma of the stomach in a harbor porpoise, Phocoena phocoena

Abstract

The first case of a metastasizing histologically malignant tumor with fatal outcome in a harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena is described. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors in domestic animals, this neoplasm represents a well differentiated scirrhous tubular adenocarcinoma of the stomach, metastasizing by way of veins, lymphatics and by implantation in the peritoneal cavity, uterus, lymph nodes, and liver. The possible significance of environmental carcinogenic agents being implicated in the induction of this neoplasm-in contrast to fish-can only be suggested in this first case of a malignant tumor in a North Sea harbour porpoise.