A Basal-Cell Carcinoma in the Fowl

Abstract

IN birds, though sarcomata are well known, carcinomata appear to be extremely rare¹. The literature contains few references to these, one of the most recent being to that reported in a Pennant+s parakeet². In the course of work in this department a small flat tumour about 1 cm. across was noted at autopsy in a Brown Leghorn capon between the right ear and the angle of the jaw. Feathers, apparently normal for that site, were distributed over the area of the tumour. The growth, together with the surrounding skin, was sectioned in a plane normal to the surface. Upon histological examination the tumour was found to be a typical basal-cell carcinoma. This diagnosis was kindly confirmed for us by Prof. R. A. Willis. Within the growth carcinomatous cells could be seen to be invading the mesodermal cores of feather papillæ, as shown in Fig. 1. We owe to Prof. Willis the suggestion that this carcinoma may in fact be derived from basal-cells of a feather-germ.