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).
Publication Date: 2024-10-01 PubMed ID: 39354566PubMed Central: PMC11443843DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04269-4Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Case Reports
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
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
- Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain. darguellescap@gmx.es.
- Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
- Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
- Department of Anatomy, Comparative Pathology and Toxicology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
- Department of Large Animal, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
- 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.
References
This article includes 32 references
- Cotchin E. Tumours in farm animals: a survey of tumours examined at the Royal Veterinary College, London, during 1950–60. Vet Rec 1960;72:816–23.
- Johnson PJ. Dermatologic tumors (excluding sarcoids). Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1998;14:625–58.
- Valentine BA. Equine melanocytic tumours: a retrospective study of 53 horses (1988–1991). J Vet Intern Med 1995;9:291–7.
- Rodriguez F, Forga J, Herráez P, Andrada M, Fernandez A. Metastatic melanoma causing spinal cord compression in a horse. Vet Rec 1998;142(10):248.
- Smith SH, Goldschmidt MH, McManus PM. A comparative review of melanocytic neoplasms. Vet Pathol 2002;39(6):651–78.
- Schöniger S, Summers BA. Equine skin tumours in 20 horses resembling three variants of human melanocytic naevi. Vet Dermatol 2009;20(3):165–73.
- Scott DW, Miller WH. Neoplasms, cysts, hamartomas and keratoses. In: Scott DW, Miller WH, editors. Chapter 16. Equine Dermatology. 2nd ed. Saunders; 2011. p. 468–516.
- Phillips JC, Lembcke LM. Equine melanocytic tumors. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2013;29(3):673–87.
- Knottenbelt DC, Patterson-Kane JC, Snalune KL. Melanocytic neoplasms. In Clinical Equine Oncology: Elsevier; 2015. p. 237–46.
- Kunze DJ, Monticello TM, Jakob TP, Crane S. Malignant melanoma of the coronary band in a horse. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1986;188:297–8.
- Honnas CM, Liskey CC, Meagher DM, Brown D, Luck EE. Malignant melanoma in the foot of a horse. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1990;197:756–8.
- Floyd AE. Malignant melanoma in the foot of a bay horse. Equine Vet J 2003;15(6):295–7.
- Kay G, McNeil P, Knottenbelt D, Tliqui N. Locally invasive melanoma in the internal laminae of the hoof of a bay mule. Equine Vet Educ 2018;32(2):66–70.
- Osborne C, Elce YA, Meehan L, Davern AJ, Lescun TB. Neoplasia within the equine foot: A retrospective case series of four horses. Equine Vet Educ 2022;34(10):431–7.
- Stefanik E, Górski K, Turek B, Drewnowska-Szczepakowska O, Kliczkowska-Klarowicz K, Stefanik A. From Keratoma to Anaplastic Malignant Melanoma in a Horse’s Hoof. Animals 2022;12:3090.
- Fürst AE, Lischer CJ. Foot. Equine Surgery, 3rd edn., Eds: JA Auer, JA Stick, Saunders Elsevier, St Louis. 2006; 1184–1192.
- Boys Smith SJ, Clegg PD, Hughes I, Singer ER. Complete and partial hoof wall resection for keratoma removal: post operative complications and final outcome in 26 horses (1994–2004). Equine Vet J 2006;38(2):127–33.
- Nagel H, Lang H, Sole Guitart A, Lean N, Allavena R, Sprohnle-Barrera C, Young A. Multi-modality imaging of aggressive submural neoplasia of the hoof in two horses. Aust Vet J 2022;100(7):336–41.
- Ramos-Vara JA, Frank CB, DuSold D, Miller MA. Immunohistochemical expression of melanocytic antigen PNL2, Melan A, S100, and PGP 9.5 in equine melanocytic neoplasms. Vet Pathol 2014;51(1):161–6.
- Ramos-Vara JA, Luke B, Borst. Immunohistochemistry: Fundamentals and applications in Oncology. In: Meuten DJ, editor. Tumors in domestic animals. 5th ed. Ames-Iowa: J. Willey and Sons; 2017. p. 44–87.
- Smedley RC, Spangler WI, Esplin DG, Kitcchell BE, Bergman PJ, Ho H-Y, Bergin IL, Kiupel M. Prognostic markers for canine melanocytic neoplasms: A comparative review of the literature and goals for future investigation. Vet Pathol 2011;2011(48):54–72.
- Weyers W, Euler M, Diaz-Cascajo C, Schill WB, Bonczkowitz M. Classification of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma. A reassessment of Histopathologic Criteria for the Distinction of Different Types. Cancer 1999;86:288–99.
- Fürst AE, Lischer CJ. Chapter 91 - Foot. Equine Surgery, 5th edn., Eds: JA Auer, JA Stick, JM Kümmerle, T Prange, W.B. Saunders, Missouri.2019; 91; 1548–1550.
- Redding WR, O´Grady SE. Nonseptic diseases associated with the hoof complex keratoma, white line disease, kanker and neoplasia. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2012;28:407–21.
- Paraschou G, Cook JM, Priestnall SL, Evans NJ, Staton GJ, Paterson GK, Winkler B, Whitbread TJ. Treponema spp. spirochetes and keratinopathogenic fungi isolated from keratomas in donkeys. Vet Pathol 2023;60(2):190–8.
- Getman LM, Davison EJ, Ross MW, Leitch M, Richardson DW. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging-assisted partial hoof wall resection for keratoma removal. Vet Surg 2011;40(6):708–14.
- Katzman SA, Spriet M, Galuppo LD. Outcome following computed tomographic imaging and subsequent surgical removal of keratomas in equids: 32 cases (2005–2016). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019;254(2):266–74.
- Premkumar A, Marincola F, Taubenberger J, Chow C, Venzon D, Schwartzentruber D. Metastatic melanoma: correlation of MRI characteristics and histopathology. J Magn Reson Imaging 1996;6(1):190–4.
- Kato K, Nishimura R, Sasaki N, Matsunaga S, Mochizuki M, Nakayama H, Ogawa H. Magnetic resonance imaging of a canine eye with melanoma. J Vet Med Sci 2005;67(2):179–82.
- Moore JS, Shaw C, Shaw E, Buechner-Maxwell V, Scarratt WK, Crisman M, Furr M, Robertson J. Melanoma in horses: Current perspectives. Equine Vet Educ 2013;25:144–51.
- Theon AP, Wilson WD, Magdesian KG, Pusterla N, Snyder JR, Galuppo LD. Long-term outcome associated with intratumoral chemotherapy with cisplatin for cutaneous tumors in Equidae: 573 cases (1995–2004). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2007;230(10):1506–13.
- Elder DE, Barnhil R, Bastian BC, Cook MG, de la Fouchardiére A, Gerami P. Melanocytic Tumour Classification and the Pathway Concept. In: Elder DE, Massi D, Scolyer RA, Willemze R, editors., et al., WHO Classification of Skin Tumours. 4th ed. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon: France; 2018. p. 66–71.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
