Case report: A study on the pathological diagnosis of oral fibrosarcoma in a giant panda

TL;DR

A female giant panda was diagnosed with a rare oral fibrosarcoma, marking the first known case of this type of tumor in the species.

Contribution

This is the first documented case of an oral tumor in a giant panda, offering new insights for diagnosing neoplasms in this species.

Findings

Computed tomography and biopsy confirmed a low-grade malignant fibrosarcoma in the panda's oral cavity.

Elevated tumor marker CA724 and signs of systemic health issues were observed in the panda.

The case provides a reference for diagnosing oral neoplasms in giant pandas.

Abstract

A female giant panda presented with a large, hard mass on the right cheek, which was investigated at the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda with computed tomography (CT) scans and biopsy of the oral mass, as well as venous blood sampling. Hematological tests revealed elevated levels of the tumor marker CA724, along with infectious disease, anemia, hepatic damage, and renal failure. Imaging studies identified a soft tissue mass in the right cheek area. Macroscopic pathological changes, histopathological features, and immunohistochemical analysis were consistent with a low-grade malignant fibrosarcoma within the oral cavity, indicating malignant potential. This case represents the first report of an oral tumor in a giant panda, providing valuable data for future clinical diagnoses of neoplasms in this species.

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