IRIDIUM 192 (192-Ir) HIGH DOSE RATE BRACHYTHERAPY IN A CENTRAL BEARDED DRAGON (POGONA VITTICEPS) WITH ROSTRAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

A 0.5-kg, 9-yr-old, male central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presented with a proliferative mass (0.4 x 0.2 inches) on the left rostral aspect of the lower lip. Physical examination, blood work, and whole-body radiography did not reveal any other abnormalities. Histopathology confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. Considering the small size of the tumor, absence of deep tissue infiltration, and its radioresponsive characteristics, iridium 192 high dose rate brachytherapy was attempted. The dragon initially received three doses of 4 Gy/site at days 0, 7, and 17. Recurrence developed 3 mo later. Three more fractions of 6 Gy/site at days 0, 7, and 14 were delivered according to the same procedure. A second recurrence appeared after 2 mo. Surgical excision was then performed, followed by four fractions of 6 Gy/site on the surgical site at 2-wk intervals. Sixteen months posttreatment, no recurrence of the mass was observed.