A parasitic cancer or transmissible cancer is a cancer cell or cluster of cancer cells that can be transmitted from animal to animal. Cancer is not normally a contagious disease, but there are two known exceptions: one in dogs and the other in Tasmanian devils. These cancers have a relatively stable genome as they are transmitted.^[1] Because of their transmission, it was initially thought that both diseases were caused by the transfer of viruses, in the manner of cervical cancer caused by HPV.

• Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a transmissible parasitic cancer in the Tasmanian devil.^[2]

• Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is sexually transmitted cancer in dogs. It was experimentally transplanted between dogs in 1876 by M. A. Novinsky (1841-1914). A single malignant clone of CTVT cells has colonized dogs worldwide, representing the oldest known malignant cell line in continuous propagation.^[3]

[edit] Instances of transmission of human cancer

A malignant fibrous histiocytoma was contracted from a patient by a surgeon when he injured his hand during an operation.^[4]

[edit] References