TUMORS IN FISH FROM THE DETROIT RIVER

A fish tumor survey was conducted in the Lower Detroit River during 1985 to 1987. Five species of fish were collected from sediment deposition zones and were examined for neoplasia. Neoplasms and related lesions were found in bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), redhorse sucker (Moxostoma, sp), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and bowfin (Amia calva). Overall, 8.2 percent of the fish examined had oral/dermal lesions and 10.1 percent had liver lesions. Liver and skin tumors were found to be age-related in bullheads and size-related in walleye. Based on the fish surveyed, the incidence of tumors in fish from the Detroit River was similar to that observed in other chemically contaminated waterways.