Fibropapilloma

Fibropapilloma is a disease that affects sea turtles worldwide. Research in the last 15 years suggests that this disease is caused by a herpes virus.  The disease causes large warts with a “cauliflower” texture that grow on areas of soft tissue, including the eyes, mouth, and areas where their legs meet their body. Occasionally these growths, also referred to as “tumors,” can grow internally on the lungs, kidneys, liver and intestines. The largest tumor ever recorded weighed over three pounds. Cases have been reported as early as the 1900s in areas such as Florida, South America, Hawaii, and Australia. The disease has been found on all sea turtle species. An infected turtle can transmit the disease to an uninfected turtle, however, it is unclear if the transmission occurs within the sea water. The poisons from certain algae, including those algae implicated in the devastating "red tides", have been shown to induce the development of papilloma tumors in mice, and may possibly be triggering tumors in turtles.

In some areas of the world, external tumors are surgically removed (see turtlehospital.org). The turtle is anesthetized and a CO2 laser is used to cut out the tumor. If the turtle remains tumor free for one year, it is then released back into the wild. Research is ongoing to understand how this debilitating, life threatening disease is spread. Currently there is no cure.