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Metastatic melanoma in horses
Katherine Cole MacGillivray1, Raymond W Sweeney, Fabio Del Piero
1Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348, USA. peteandkc@msn.com
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
|July 27, 2002
Summary
Older gray horses frequently develop metastatic melanoma, often originating from the tail or perineum. Metastases spread widely, causing diverse clinical signs, and treatment options showed no effect in this study.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Equine Oncology
Background:
- Metastatic melanoma is a significant concern in equine oncology.
- Gray horses are predisposed to developing melanomas, which can become malignant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical and pathological findings of metastatic melanoma in horses.
- To identify common primary tumor sites, metastatic locations, and associated clinical syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 14 horses diagnosed with metastatic melanoma.
- Analysis of clinical records and post-mortem findings.
Main Results:
- All affected horses were older gray horses (average age 16 years).
- Primary tumors commonly arose from the ventral tail, perineum, and parotid salivary gland.
- Metastases were widespread, frequently involving lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lungs, and vasculature, leading to varied clinical presentations.
- Histologic features of primary dermal masses were not predictive of metastatic potential.
- Treatment attempts (surgical debulking, cimetidine, vaccine) in four horses had no impact on outcome.
Conclusions:
- Metastatic melanoma in horses, particularly older gray individuals, presents with diverse clinical signs due to widespread metastasis.
- Current treatment modalities appear ineffective in altering the outcome of metastatic disease.