This Kerala tiger is diagnosed with cancer, begins chemotherapy

Babitha, a female tiger housed at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, has been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a severe form of cancer. The tiger is suffering from adenocarcinoma,  a highly aggressive cancer originating in glandular tissues. It quickly causes spread and results in organ failure as well, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The authorities have commenced chemotherapy sessions for Babitha. 

Inoperable condition and palliative care
The cancer has unfortunately spread to envelop her vital internal organs, making surgical intervention impossible. This is why the zoo administration has initiated palliative care alongside chemotherapy to manage her pain and maintain her quality of life.

Diagnosis and detection
The illness was detected after zoo keepers noticed a swelling in her abdomen and a marked loss of appetite. A detailed medical examination, led by the zoo's veterinary surgeon Dr Nikesh Kiran, confirmed the malignancy, prompting the immediate launch of a treatment plan.

From the wild to the zoo
Babitha was brought to the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo in March 2024. She had been captured from a residential settlement in the South Wayanad Forest Division, where she had strayed from the wild, before being relocated to the capital city for care.

How common is cancer in tigers?
In captive tigers who live longer, cancer is apparently quite common. They often develop endocrine, reproductive, and skin cancers and lymphoma. Meanwhile, adenocarcinoma, which Babitha has, can exist across various systems and therefore it can be a reproductive, endocrine or gastrointestinal cancer. When tigers are on chemotherapy, they are generally given full anaesthesia or heavy sedation, along with tough safety protocols. 

Do humans get adenocarcinoma?
Yes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can affect our stomach, colon, breast, oesophagus, pancreas, prostate, and lungs. Its most common symptoms are blood in saliva, stool, or pee; poor appetite; weight loss; bloating; and pain in the affected organ. Cancer occurs when cells in our glands divide uncontrollably, but it isn't clear what triggers it. Regardless, a few of the common risk factors are smoking, family history, alcohol, toxin exposure, a BMI higher than 25, and being exposed to radiation in the past.