It is called Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). It is a transmissible parasitic cancer that is transferred often when the devils are feeding as they bight each other. Cantankerous little blighters.
A number of females have been found that appear to have immunity and there are a number of breeding programs taking place. There is a reintroduction program taking place later this year on an island off Tasmania.
Transmissible cancer is extremely rare; the only other cases of it are in dogs and hamsters. There is a concern that DFTD mutates and makes the jump to quolls which are a close relative of devils.
Nice answer Dustin. I believe the genome (map of all genes/DNA) of this cancer has been mapped so now, hopefully, scientists can understand this horrible disease better and find ways to stop it. Poor little things.
Nice answers by Dustin and Chris. 🙂
Chris, I have a related question for you: apart from cervical cancer (which can be caused by herpes virus exposure), are there any other cancers that are virus-related that can occur in humans or other animals?
Hi jgiumelli,
It is called Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). It is a transmissible parasitic cancer that is transferred often when the devils are feeding as they bight each other. Cantankerous little blighters.
A number of females have been found that appear to have immunity and there are a number of breeding programs taking place. There is a reintroduction program taking place later this year on an island off Tasmania.
Transmissible cancer is extremely rare; the only other cases of it are in dogs and hamsters. There is a concern that DFTD mutates and makes the jump to quolls which are a close relative of devils.
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Nice answer Dustin. I believe the genome (map of all genes/DNA) of this cancer has been mapped so now, hopefully, scientists can understand this horrible disease better and find ways to stop it. Poor little things.
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Nice answers by Dustin and Chris. 🙂
Chris, I have a related question for you: apart from cervical cancer (which can be caused by herpes virus exposure), are there any other cancers that are virus-related that can occur in humans or other animals?
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In answer to Arti’s question off the back of this one…
It has recently been reported that as many as 1 in 6 cancers may have a bacteria, parasitic or viral origin.
http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120509/9823/cancer-bacteria-infection-parasites-virus-vaccine.htm
The hepatitis viruses and papilloma are mostly to blame but there are others as well.
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