How fast can a tumor grow?
I purchased this Sanke on 1 February 2009, but left it with the dealer, because my quarantine pond had already Koi in it.
On 18 March 2009 my Son collected the Sanke with other Koi from the Dealer.
I noticed a small bulge on the abdomen of the Sanke about 2 cm from the right pectoral fin.
My fist thought was that this was caused when the Koi was bagged at the dealer.
But, within one week the bump grows bigger. On April 22nd, I found the Koi at the bottom of the Quarantine pond, battle to swim and to breathe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb-HF0B1dRc
I was now certain that I was dealing with a tumor and I gave the Sanke some antibiotic shots (Genta 50), the Sanke was acting fine after this, but a few days later stopped to feed.
On 5th May I found it dead on the bottom of the pond.
I then decided to do an “autopsy” on the Sanke.
I am no veterinarian, but this is what I find.
Koi cut open, the tumor clearly visible. I notice that it was a female.
Notice the proximal intestine in bedded in the tumor, I could not find the liver at all, but I am sure it would be somewhere inside the tumor
The inside of the tumor looked like “dead growth” with no blood veins. The tumor measured 11cm by 4cm
Answer; a tumor can grow pretty fast; but some tumors can sit in fish for years without any problems!