Spontaneous extraskeletal osteosarcomas of the subcutis in Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus): report of two cases.

Spontaneous subcutaneous extraskeletal osteosarcoma was diagnosed in the subcutaneous tissue of two Djungarian hamsters. Histologically, the tumour was characterized by multiple nests of osseous and cartilaginous components within a proliferation of pleomorphic cells. No abnormality was observed in any skeletal bones and no change suggesting tumorous growth was observed in any other sites. This is the first report of extraskeletal osteosarcomas in Djungarian hamsters. Copyright 2004 Blackwell Verlag