Melanocytic Ophthalmic Neoplasms of the Domestic Veterinary Species: A Review.
Abstract: Melanocytic neoplasms in veterinary species occur in various ophthalmic locations including the eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, sclera, anterior and posterior uvea, and orbit. Histology usually provides the definitive diagnosis for melanocytic ocular neoplasias. The degree of tissue invasiveness and anaplastic cellular characteristics are more reliable indicators of biological behavior than is mitotic index in most ophthalmic melanocytic tumors. Melanocytic neoplasias of the eyelid are predominantly benign in canines and equines, though in felines, there is the potential for metastasis, especially if the conjunctiva is involved. Limbal melanocytic tumors are predominantly benign in all the studied species, though there is a bimodal occurrence with this tumor type in canines, where those that appear in dogs younger than 4 years tended toward active growth, whereas those that appear in dogs older than 8 years tended to progress more slowly, and may not require therapy. The most common location for melanocytic ocular neoplasias in both canines and felines is the anterior uvea. Feline diffuse iris melanoma in particular has a higher incidence of metastasis than does canine nodular anterior uveal melanocytoma. In contrast, posterior uveal melanocytic tumors are rare in both canine and feline species and are considered benign. Orbital melanoma is rare in both canine and feline species; however, it generally carries a grave prognosis owing to its malignant nature. Knowledge of the general biological behavior and its variability among locations within the eye and between species is essential in therapeutic planning.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-06-06 PubMed ID: 27154598DOI: 10.1053/j.tcam.2015.06.001Google 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
- Review
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 provides an in-depth study on melanocytic neoplasms, a type of eye tumor common among domestic animals. It looks into the ways that these lesions occur, behave, and could potentially be managed.
Occurrence of Melanocytic Neoplasms
- The study reports that these tumors could surface in several parts of an animal’s eye, including the eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, sclera, anterior and posterior uvea, and orbit.
- It reveals that pathological examination, or histology, is frequently used as a method for determining the nature and severity of these neoplasms.
Behavior of Melanocytic Neoplasms
- According to the study, the biological behavior of these tumors is more accurately indicated by the degree of tissue invasiveness and the abnormal characteristics of the cells involved, rather than the mitotic index of the tumor.
- Majority of the melanocytic neoplasms occurring on the eyelid present as non-threatening in dogs and horses. However, cats have a potential risk of metastasis, especially when the conjunctiva is affected.
- The limbal melanocytic tumors are mostly benign in all studied species. However, this type of tumor has a bimodal trend in dogs, wherein tumors developing in younger dogs (less than 4 years) are often growing faster, while in older dogs (more than 8 years) they progress more slowly and might not need treatment.
Location-Based Differences
- The most frequent location for melanocytic tumors in both cats and dogs is the anterior uvea.
- The study notes that Feline diffuse iris melanoma is more likely to spread than canine nodular anterior uveal melanocytoma.
- Conversely, melanocytic tumors in the posterior uvea are rare in both cats and dogs, and are generally benign.
Prognosis and Therapeutic Implications
- Orbital melanoma, although rare in both canine and feline species, is associated with a poor prognosis because of its malignant nature.
- The researchers stress that understanding the biological behavior of these tumors and their variations by location in the eye and across species is crucial for shaping an effective treatment strategy.
Cite This Article
APA
Wang AL, Kern T.
(2015).
Melanocytic Ophthalmic Neoplasms of the Domestic Veterinary Species: A Review.
Top Companion Anim Med, 30(4), 148-157.
https://doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2015.06.001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- VCA Abbott Animal Hospital, Worcester, MA, USA. Electronic address: alw56@cornell.edu.
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cat Diseases / diagnosis
- Cats
- Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / veterinary
- Dog Diseases / diagnosis
- Dogs
- Eye Neoplasms / diagnosis
- Eye Neoplasms / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Melanoma / diagnosis
- Melanoma / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Vasconcelos J, Pires MDA, Alves A, Vieira-Pinto M, Saraiva C, Cardoso L. Neoplasms in Domestic Ruminants and Swine: A Systematic Literature Review.. Vet Sci 2023 Feb 18;10(2).
- Nautscher N, Steffl M, Schmon K, Ludwig E. Bulbus Destruction by Choroidal Melanocytoma in a Dog: A 3-Year History.. Vet Sci 2022 Jun 1;9(6).
- Kayes D, Blacklock B. Feline Uveal Melanoma Review: Our Current Understanding and Recent Research Advances.. Vet Sci 2022 Jan 26;9(2).
- Guerra Guimarães T, Menezes Cardoso K, Tralhão P, Marto CM, Alexandre N, Botelho MF, Laranjo M. Current Therapeutics and Future Perspectives to Ocular Melanocytic Neoplasms in Dogs and Cats.. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021 Dec 20;8(12).
- Saellstrom S, Sadeghi A, Eriksson E, Segall T, Dimopoulou M, Korsgren O, Loskog AS, Tötterman TH, Hemminki A, Ronnberg H. Adenoviral CD40 Ligand Immunotherapy in 32 Canine Malignant Melanomas-Long-Term Follow Up.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:695222.
- Sandmeyer LS, Osinchuk S, Leis M. Diagnostic Ophthalmology.. Can Vet J 2021 Mar;62(3):297-298.
- Sandmeyer LS, Osinchuk S, Leis M. Diagnostic Ophthalmology.. Can Vet J 2021 Jan;62(1):73-74.
- Steinmetz A, Gittel C, Böttcher D, Lapko L, Offhaus J. The use of a combined sliding skin graft and a free labial mucocutaneous graft for reconstruction of the equine upper eyelid after full-thickness excision of a melanoma.. Clin Case Rep 2019 Mar;7(3):419-425.
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
