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Journal of veterinary internal medicine1995; 9(5); 291-297; doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1995.tb01087.x

Equine melanocytic tumors: a retrospective study of 53 horses (1988 to 1991).

Abstract: A study of 57 cutaneous melanocytic tumors from 53 horses revealed 4 distinct clinical syndromes: melanocytic nevus, dermal melanoma, dermal melanomatosis, and anaplastic malignant melanoma. Melanocytic nevus and anaplastic melanoma each had histopathologic features that distinguished them from dermal melanoma and dermal melanomatosis. Dermal melanoma and dermal melanomatosis were histologically similar but could be differentiated by their clinical features. Melanocytic nevi were diagnosed in 29 horses with an average age of 5 years; they were solitary, superficial masses that occurred in both grey and nongrey horses, and in which surgical excision was generally curative. Dermal melanomas were diagnosed in 20 horses with an average age of 13 years; all horses of known coat color were grey. Eight horses with an average age of 7 years had 1 or 2 discrete dermal melanomas. Follow-up information was available for 6 horses; metastases occurred in 2 horses, and surgical excision was apparently curative in 4 horses. Dermal melanomatosis was diagnosed in 12 grey horses with an average age of 17 years; all 6 of these horses evaluated had internal metastases. In 2 aged nongrey horses with anaplastic malignant melanoma, the tumors metastasized within 1 year of diagnosis. Two tumors with features of both melanocytic nevus and dermal melanoma remained unclassified.
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Publication Date: 1995-09-01 PubMed ID: 8531173DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1995.tb01087.xGoogle 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.

This study is a retrospective analysis of 57 skin melanocytic tumors from 53 horses, identifying four distinct clinical syndromes – melanocytic nevus, dermal melanoma, dermal melanomatosis, and anaplastic malignant melanoma.

Overview of the Research

The research was conducted retrospectively on 57 cutaneous melanocytic tumors taken from 53 horses. The study involved looking into medical records and pathological details of these cases from the period between 1988 to 1991. The goal was to understand the distinct clinical syndromes stemming from equine melanocytic tumors.

Findings of the Study

In their review, the researchers were able to categorize the analyzed tumors into four distinct clinical types:

  • Melanocytic nevus
  • Dermal melanoma
  • Dermal melanomatosis
  • Anaplastic malignant melanoma.

These findings were achieved by taking into account both histopathologic features – studying the microscopic structure of diseased tissues – and the external clinical features of the tumors.

Clinical syndrome descriptions and diagnoses

  • Melanocytic nevus: Identified in 29 horses with an average age of 5 years. These presented as individual, superficial masses in both grey and non-grey horses. In most cases, surgical removal of these nevi seemed to cure the condition.
  • Dermal melanoma: Diagnosed in 20 horses, with an average age of 13 years. All horses known to have this condition were grey. Of the horses for which follow-up information was available, it was found that the tumors had metastasized, or spread, in 2 out of 6 cases. However, surgical excision was reportedly curative for the remaining 4 horses.
  • Dermal melanomatosis: Identified in 12 grey horses with an average age of 17 years. It was found in all 6 cases evaluated that internal metastases had occurred.
  • Anaplastic malignant melanoma: This was diagnosed in two non-grey horses in their old age. Tumors metastasized within a year of being diagnosed in both cases.

Two tumors exhibited features of both melanocytic nevus and dermal melanoma and thus could not be definitively classified in either category. These findings increase our understanding of equine skin melanocytic tumors, potentially supporting more effective diagnosis and treatment in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Valentine BA. (1995). Equine melanocytic tumors: a retrospective study of 53 horses (1988 to 1991). J Vet Intern Med, 9(5), 291-297. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1995.tb01087.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
Pages: 291-297

Researcher Affiliations

Valentine, B A
  • Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / veterinary
  • Nevus, Pigmented / pathology
  • Nevus, Pigmented / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 36 times.
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