Another contagious form of cancer discovered
In an indication that transmissible cancer may not be as rare as generally believed, researchers have identified a second, genetically distinct variety in Tasmania devils, iconic small dog-sized carnivores that are only found in the wild on the Australian island state of Tasmania.
Sydney: In an indication that transmissible cancer may not be as rare as generally believed, researchers have identified a second, genetically distinct variety in Tasmania devils, iconic small dog-sized carnivores that are only found in the wild on the Australian island state of Tasmania.
Scientists had earlier discovered one form of transmissible cancer in the devils that causes them facial tumours. "The second cancer causes tumours on the face that are outwardly indistinguishable from the previously-discovered cancer," said study first author Ruth Pye from University of Tasmania, Australia.
"So far it has been detected in eight devils in the south-east of Tasmania," Pye noted. Transmissible cancers -- cancers which can spread between individuals by the transfer of living cancer cells -- are believed to arise extremely rarely in nature.
