Pittsburgh Zoo doctor removes 2 breast cancer tumors from 11-year-old lemur

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A lemur named Caera at the Pittsburgh Zoo and the PPG Aquarium has undergone what the zoo officials have termed as the first unilateral mastectomy.

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The zoo first noticed something that was wrong with this 11-year-old ring-tailed lemur earlier this year, when a babysitter found a swelling near the chest. After a review of the zoo's animal health director, Dr. Ginger Sturgeon, it was determined that the mbad was bad cancer.

"Initial test results from Caera's lumpectomy surgery showed that she had two separate tumors," Sturgeon said. "One was a ductal carcinoma and the other was tubulopapillary carcinoma. Unfortunately, based on histopathology, Caera required a second larger surgical procedure, but the good news is that Caera's cancer is of relatively low grade. "

Zoo officials said Caera was resting and would soon be reintegrated into the rainforest complex.

Meanwhile, Sturgeon and his team will monitor Caera and receive anti-inflammatories.

"We hope that with this operation, Caera will lead a long, happy and cancer-free life. The animals are extremely resistant, "said Sturgeon. "They have a great capacity for healing."

Dr. Jack Demos, Founder and Medical Director of SurgiCorp International, badisted Sturgeon during the operation.

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