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. 1985 Oct;26(10):297–302.

Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder in a Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)

D Martineau, A Lagacé, R Massé, M Morin, P Béland
PMCID: PMC1680180  PMID: 17422578

Abstract

A transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder was found in a beluga whale stranded in the St. Lawrence middle estuary. Various organs of this animal were submitted to high resolution gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. High frequency of urinary bladder cancer in the human population of the same area and the presence of carcinogenic compounds in the marine environment of this animal are discussed.

Concurrent isolation of Edwardsiella tarda from various organs of this whale is also reported.

Keywords: Cetaceans, urinary bladder, transitional cell carcinoma, carcinogens, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Edwardsiella tarda

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Selected References

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