Prevalence of neoplasia in 10 New England populations of the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria).

Neoplasia was a prevalent disease of the soft-shell clam and was found in widely geographically distinct sites in New England. Two types of neoplasms were recognized. Most were of hematopoietic origin, except in clams from Maine, which also had gonadal neoplasms. Both types were apparently malignant neoplasms, based on their characteristic anaplastic appearance, invasiveness, metastasis, mitotic activity, associated tissue necrosis, and mortality. Diagnosis of neoplasia in the living mollusk was achieved rapidly and accurately by cytologic examination of circulating blood. The etiology of the neoplasms was not identified. In general, nonneoplastic lesions, such as epithelial hyperplasia and accumulations of orange-brown bodies, were more common in clams from polluted areas.