Breast Cancer in a Tree Shrew (Tupaia glis)

Abstract

ON May 29, 1965, a female tree shrew—Tupaia glis sordida, according to the system of Lyon¹—was found in a late stage of pregnancy on Tioman Island off Malaya. A nodular lesion measuring about 4 mm was present beneath the skin of the right thoracic breast near the nipple. No other lesions were found and there were no large ectoparasites. The animal was marked and released in accordance with standard procedure². Three days later, the animal was found dead in a trap; the cause of death was not apparent, and the animal was well preserved and had obviously given birth since it was released. The carcass was injected with 70 per cent alcohol, and a week later placed in a strong solution of formaldehyde, and taken to the United States. On arrival it was washed in water and examined.