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Lymphoma
Lymphoma/lymphosarcoma is the most common malignancy in ferrets. Ferret
lymphosarcoma occurs in two forms -- juvenile lymphosarcoma, a fast-growing type
that affects ferrets younger than two years, and adult lymphosarcoma, a slower
growing form that affects ferrets four to seven years old.
In juvenile ferret lymphosarcoma, large, immature lymphocytes (lymphoblasts)
rapidly invade the thymus and/or the organs of the abdominal cavity,
particularly the liver and spleen. In adult ferret lymphosarcoma, the lymph
nodes in the limbs and abdominal cavity become swollen early on due to invasion
by small, mature lymphocytes. Invasion of organs, such as the liver, kidney,
lungs, and spleen, occurs later on, and the disease may be far advanced before
symptoms are noticeable.
As in humans, ferret lymphosarcoma can be treated surgically, with radiation
therapy, chemotherapy or a combination thereof. The long-term prognosis is
rarely bright, however, and this treatment is intended to improve quality of
life with the disease.
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