An Anaplastic Sarcoma of Probable Salivary Origin in a Teddy-bear Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

There is a paucity of published information regarding spontaneous neoplasms affecting pet hamsters. This article describes a spontaneous anaplastic sarcoma of probable salivary origin in a pet Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). A 1-year-old hamster was presented with a subcutaneous mass along the right ventrolateral region of the neck, resulting in a partial eversion of the right cheek pouch. The mass was surgically removed and the patient recovered without complications. Approximately 157 days later, the patient was presented for a second mass in the same location and the owners elected to euthanize the hamster. Postmortem histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of both masses demonstrated highly anaplastic neoplasms of mesenchymal origin. The masses were not directly associated with the cheek pouch and were presumed to have a salivary tissue origin.