II. Neoplasms
This condition occurs with great frequency in aged female hamsters
(88% in some colonies). Edema and ascites may occur. Kidneys
are pale and rough at necropsy. Histopathological lesions include
glomerular hyalinization, amyloid deposits in the tubules, and amyloid
deposits in various other organs such as spleen, liver, and adrenals.
The incidence of naturally occurring tumors is high in the golden Syrian
hamster and increases with the age of the animal. The incidence is
generally higher in females due to the greater number of reproductive tract
neoplasms. The two most common benign tumors are intestinal polyps
and adrenal cortical adenomas. The most common malignant tumors are
lymphomas and leukemias. Malignant lymphomas in young hamsters
has been associated with hamster polyomavirus infection (see Viral Diseases). Multiple
primary tumors are common. Uterine carcinomas are seen in 25% of
female neoplasm cases. Melanomas occur more frequently in male hamsters.
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