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BMC veterinary research2024; 20(1); 444; doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04269-4

Concomitant melanoma and keratoma affecting the equine digit: clinical, pathological, and long-term follow-up findings.

Abstract: This case report details a long-term follow-up of a hoof melanoma with dermo-epidermal activity (resembling Spreading Superficial Melanoma (SSM)) in a bay horse with a history of a right front hoof keratoma. Melanomas involving the horse's foot are seldom reported and usually diagnosed as anaplastic melanomas based on signalment and post-mortem examination. The clinical-pathological characteristics of the foot melanoma in this bay horse are consistent with SSM-like described in humans, which is considered an intermediate malignant tumour attending their biological behaviour. However, a definitive diagnosis is limited by the single case and the lack of references in horses. Methods: A 12-year-old bay Andalusian gelding underwent keratoma removal on the lateral aspect of the hoof wall. A partial resection of the hoof wall was performed for this purpose. Additionally, a plaque-like, hyperkeratotic pigmented lesion, 2 × 2X0,4 cm in size, was observed at the lateral aspect of the coronary band and was also resected for histopathological examination. Microscopically, a melanocytic tumour, characterised by small nests of large polygonal or epithelioid cells infiltrating the basal and suprabasal epidermis, the dermo - epidermal junction, and the superficial dermis, was observed. The neoplastic cells exhibited large euchromatic nuclei, prominent nucleoli, moderate pleomorphism and 4 mitotic figures per 2,37mm2; variable amounts of dark granules (melanin) were present in the cytoplasm, as well as in numerous peritumoral macrophages. The immunophenotype of the tumour cells was PNL2 +  +  + , S100 +  + , AE1/AE3-. A diagnosis of melanoma with dermo-epidermal junction and marked intraepidermal activity (consistent with superficial spreading melanoma) was made. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed, revealed no further invasion into surrounding structures. Treatment was based on surgical resection and multiple local chemotherapy sessions with cisplatin were applied. The biopsies obtained after treatment showed partial regression of the tumour and different stages of healing. After 26 months of follow-up, there was no signs of malignant spreading into surrounding structures including the pedal bone and distal metastasis but a dark - coloured area persists over the lateral aspect of the coronary band. Conclusions: This case presents a concomitant keratoma and melanoma with dermo - epidermal activity, resembling a spreading superficial melanoma. After a follow - up of 26 months the horse remains healthy and sound providing new information for clinicians and pathologists. Despite the poor prognosis associated with foot malignant melanocytic tumours, it is important that an early and accurate diagnosis is reached through different diagnostic modalities such as advanced imaging techniques and histopathology. Additionally, these findings demonstrate that the current classification and prognosis for equine foot melanomas are insufficient.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-10-01 PubMed ID: 39354566PubMed Central: PMC11443843DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04269-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses a unique case where a horse developed both a hoof melanoma and a keratoma, conditions usually uncommon in horses. These were surgically treated, and after a follow-up period of 26 months, the horse remained healthy with no signs of the disease spreading.

Clinical Case Overview

  • The subject of this study is a 12-year-old bay Andalusian gelding, presenting with tumours on its right front hoof.
  • The tumours were identified as a keratoma and a melanoma with dermo-epidermal activity, simulating the characteristics of Spreading Superficial Melanoma (SSM) observed typically in humans.
  • The equine melanomas are less frequently reported and generally diagnosed as anaplastic melanomas based on the signalment and post-mortem examination.

Diagnostic Procedure and Findings

  • A partial hoof wall resection was performed to remove the keratoma.
  • A pigmented lesion, resembling a plaque, was also discovered on the lateral aspect of the coronary band and was resected for further histopathological examination.
  • The microscopic examination revealed a melanocytic tumour characterised by large polygonal or epithelioid cells infiltrating the epidermis and superficial dermis.
  • The tumour cells displayed large euchromatic nuclei and varied dark granules (melanin) in the cytoplasm.

Treatment and Long-term Follow Up

  • The treatment involved surgical resection of the tumours, coupled with multiple local chemotherapy sessions using cisplatin.
  • Biopsies post-treatment indicated partial regression of the tumour and various stages of healing. After 26 months of follow-up, the horse remained healthy with no signs of the disease spreading.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed to ensure there was no further invasion into surrounding structures.
  • Despite its initial prognosis, the horse exhibited no signs of pedal bone and distal metastasis, however, a dark-coloured area continued to be observed on the coronary band’s lateral aspect.

Conclusion and Implications

  • A rare co-presence of keratoma and melanoma with dermo-epidermal activity, akin to a human SSM case, was observed.
  • The article suggests that despite the grim prognosis traditionally associated with foot malignant melanocytic tumours, early and precise diagnosis using a combination of imaging techniques and histopathology can contribute to improving the treatment approach and outcomes.
  • The findings also highlight the insufficiencies in the current classification and prognosis determination for equine foot melanomas, pointing towards implications for further pathological and clinical studies in this field.

Cite This Article

APA
Bulnes F, Argüelles D, Buzón A, García-Álamo K, Rodríguez-Gómez IM, Hernández E, Mozos E. (2024). Concomitant melanoma and keratoma affecting the equine digit: clinical, pathological, and long-term follow-up findings. BMC Vet Res, 20(1), 444. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-04269-4

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Pages: 444

Researcher Affiliations

Bulnes, Fernando
  • Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Argüelles, David
  • Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain. darguellescap@gmx.es.
Buzón, Antonio
  • Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
García-Álamo, Karelia
  • Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Rodríguez-Gómez, Irene M
  • Department of Anatomy, Comparative Pathology and Toxicology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Hernández, Eduardo
  • Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Mozos, Elena
  • Department of Anatomy, Comparative Pathology and Toxicology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Male
  • Foot Diseases / veterinary
  • Foot Diseases / pathology
  • Foot Diseases / diagnosis
  • Hoof and Claw / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horses / surgery
  • Keratosis / veterinary
  • Keratosis / pathology
  • Keratosis / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / veterinary
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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