Neuromastoma of the hard palate mucosa in an Australian green tree frog (Litoria caerulea)

Abstract

A hard palate mass was surgically removed from an Australian green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) and examined pathologically. The tumor consisted of sheets of small cells arranged in a tubular structure and cords or rosettes with fibrovascular stroma. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells were diffusely positive for cytokeratin and neuron-specific enolase and partially positive for S-100 and doublecortin. These findings indicate that the tumor originated from the neuroectodermal tissue. Based on these findings, the tumor was classified as a neuromastoma (neuroepithelioma). Sensory cells located in the hard palate of the frog were considered to be the origin of the tumor. The frog died after going through 3 surgeries and experiencing difficulties closing its mouth.