Neoplasia in twister rats (Rattus norvegicus)

The popularization of keeping Twister rats (Rattus norvegicus) as non-conventional pets has been accompanied by an increase in the occurrence of neoplasms. This scenario highlights the relevance of systematizing knowledge regarding tumor types, predisposing factors, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic modalities, and prognosis in these animals. The objective was to conduct a literature review on the occurrence, characterization, and treatment of neoplasms in Twister rats. The bibliographic search was carried out in the Google Scholar, SciELO, and Scopus databases, resulting in the selection of 15 studies for analysis. Of these, ten consisted of case reports describing different neoplasms, such as cutaneous hemangiopericytoma, eccrine spiradenoma, carcinoma, fibrosarcoma, and adenoma, while five corresponded to retrospective studies on the incidence and clinical management of neoplasms in animals treated at veterinary clinics. Factors associated with neoplastic development include inbreeding, advanced age, sex, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal influence, sun exposure, inadequate hygiene conditions, and contact with carcinogenic agents. Although the rate of cellular proliferation may be high in both benign and malignant tumors, criteria such as atypical mitoses, degree of anaplasia, and invasive capacity are determinant for the classification and prognosis of neoplasms. Surgical excision was the main therapeutic modality reported, being associated with improvements in mobility, hygiene, and animal welfare, although with a risk of recurrence in malignant neoplasms. It is concluded that early identification of lesions, accurate diagnosis based on histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation, and appropriate therapeutic intervention are essential for promoting the quality of life of Twister rats.