Fibropapillomatosis

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a condition characterized by the presence of fibropapillomas, neoplasms consisting of both the epidermal and dermal skin layers.

Fibropapillomatosis of sea turtles is probably caused by a herpes-type virus, and is causing an epidemic amongst sea turtles. Sea turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) was first discovered in 1938. FP is a disease marked by proliferation of benign but debilitating cutaneous fibropapillomas and occasional visceral fibromas.

In 90% of the cases, FP and herpesvirus are both present. All cases report a max. 2cm between the FP and herpes spots. These results lead to the conclusion that a chelonian herpesvirus is regularly associated with fibropapillomatosis and is not merely an incidental finding in affected turtles.

In the 1990's, it was thought that this was a deadly condition for sea turtles and would quickly lead to the extinction of all seaturtle. New research shows that larger species can and will recover from the disease.

The histopathologic characteristics that distinguish these tumors from other forms of neoplasia are a proliferation of both the epidermal and dermal skin layers. Fibropapillomas occur in other species besides sea turtles, such as cattle, camelids, cervids, and sheep. These tumors are benign and may spontaneously regress. Treatment consists of surgical removal, though tumors may recur if the tumors are not entirely and fully removed from the turtle's external covering. But, if the tumors are internal (growing on the lungs and trachea and also inside the throat) the turtle will not recover and will sooner or later die from the deadly disease. Fibropapillomas in species other than the sea turtles are thought to be caused by the bovine papillomavirus or closely related viruses.