Chordoma of the sacrum of an adult naked mole-rat

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2020 Jan;32(1):132-135. doi: 10.1177/1040638719894985. Epub 2019 Dec 15.

Abstract

The naked mole-rat (NMR; Heterocephalus glaber)-a small, eusocial, subterranean rodent native to East Africa-is distinguished by its capability to live long and resist changes associated with the aging process. Notably, a growing amount of research has been dedicated to NMRs' multifactorial capacity to resist cancer. Since 2016, however, zoos have begun to document various neoplasms in a handful of individuals. We present herein radiographic, gross anatomic, and histopathologic features of a case of a sacral chordoma in a geriatric female. Chordomas originate in notochordal remnants. These spinal tumors are most commonly seen in ferrets; chordomas are rare in humans, can be difficult to treat, and need wide surgical margins.

Keywords: Heterocephalus glaber; chordoma; naked mole-rats; neoplasia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Chordoma / diagnosis
  • Chordoma / pathology
  • Chordoma / veterinary*
  • Euthanasia, Animal
  • Female
  • Mole Rats*
  • Rodent Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Rodent Diseases / pathology
  • Sacrococcygeal Region
  • Sacrum
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Spinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Neoplasms / veterinary*