Oncology and Pathology in Aquatic Species

Neoplastic and pathological conditions in aquatic species encompass a diverse array of benign and malignant processes that affect fish, molluscs and other marine and freshwater organisms. Tumour development in ectothermic vertebrates often reflects both intrinsic factors, such as genetic predisposition and immune competence, and extrinsic influences including environmental pollutants, viral infections and dietary components. Aquatic oncology has provided unique comparative insights into carcinogenesis, revealing conserved molecular pathways of cell proliferation, apoptosis and DNA repair. Pathological examination of lesions through histological and ultrastructural techniques underpins diagnosis, while emerging molecular and immunohistochemical methods are enhancing precision. Beyond individual health, aquatic neoplasia serves as a sentinel for ecosystem integrity, given that tumour incidence may rise in contaminated habitats. Studies of transmissible cancers in bivalves further underscore the clinical and ecological significance of aquatic oncology, demonstrating that cancer can, in rare cases, spread between individuals. Ongoing research efforts aim to integrate ecological, molecular and clinical perspectives to improve detection, management and our understanding of tumour biology across aquatic taxa.

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Oncology and Pathology in Aquatic Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in oncology and pathology in aquatic species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Neoplasia: The process of abnormal and uncontrolled cell proliferation resulting in tumour formation.

Histopathology: Microscopic examination of stained tissue sections to assess disease-related structural changes.

Immunohistochemistry: A laboratory technique using labelled antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissue samples.

Cytology: Study of individual cell morphology and characteristics, often via smear or aspirate preparations.

Seminoma: A tumour derived from germ cells, typically forming in testicular tissue and characterised by uniform, large cells.

Lymphoma: A malignant neoplasm arising from lymphoid tissue, often classified by cell lineage (T-cell or B-cell) and tissue involvement.

References

1. Contagious Cancers That Can Spread Between Ocean Organisms. Frontiers for Young Minds (2023).
2. Retrospective Study of the Prevalence, Histopathology, Therapy, and Survival Time of Neoplastic Disease in Fish. Animals (2024).
3. Cytology of a seminoma in a koi (Cyprinus carpio): a rapid diagnostic tool. Veterinary Research Communications (2024).
4. A rare case of ocular and testicular T-cell lymphoma in a hermaphrodite koi carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758): clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical study. BMC Veterinary Research (2023).