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Anorectal papilloma
Introduction
- Cause: benign, well differentiated epithelial tumor of the anorectal junction. Origin not well understood. These growths are not associated with papilloma virus (infectious papillomas in rabbits) and have not been shown to be transmissible.
- Signs: cauliflower-like growth protruding from the anus. Can cause discomfort, tenesmus, prolapse. May bleed profusely if damaged.
- Diagnosis: often diagnosed by appearance alone. Histology required for confirmation.
- Treatment: spontaneous regression is possible. Surgical excision, radiosurgical excision, laser destruction, cryosurgery.
- Prognosis: good if regress or can be excised entirely. Recurrence common if base of tumor not fully removed.
Presenting signs
- Proliferative, red, cauliflower-like growth protruding from the anus.
- May be small with no associated clinical signs or may be larger and cause discomfort, spasms of the rectum, tenesmus, inability to defecate and bleeding.
- May cause perineal soiling and/or excessive grooming of perineum.
- Affected rabbits are usually otherwise systemically well.
Age predisposition
- Any age.
Public health considerations
- No zoonotic risk documented.
Cost considerations
- Moderate cost if surgical removal is necessary.
Special risks
- Large papillomas may bleed excessively when handled for surgery.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Not associated with papilloma virus.
Pathophysiology
- Benign, well differentiated epithelial tumor of the rectal squamous columnar epithelium at the anorectal junction.
Timecourse
- Slow-growing tumor; may spontaneously regress.
Epidemiology
- Transmission experiments have been unsuccessful.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- van Zeeland Y (2017) Rabbit oncology. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract 20 (1), 135-182 PubMed.
- Reusch B (2005) Rabbit gastroenterology. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract 8 (2), 351-375 SciDirect.
Other sources of information
- Quesenberry K E, Orcutt C J, Mans C & Carpenter J W (2021) Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery. 4th edn. Elsevier, USA.
- Varga M (2014) Skin Diseases. In: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. 2nd edn. Butterworth Heinemann, UK. pp 271-302.
- Meredith A (2013) Anorectal Papilloma. In: BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Surgery, Dentistry and Imaging. Eds: Harcourt-Brown F & Chitty J. BSAVA, UK. pp 254-256.