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Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
Published on: June 7, 2019
Clinicopathologic description of a cutaneous melanocytic tumor in a 1-year-old cat
Min-Kyung Bae1,2, Ji-Woo Cha3, Ha-Young Lim1
1Research Institute, Green Vet, Yongin-si, Korea.
Insights
This study reports a rare pediatric feline cutaneous melanocytoma. High mitotic counts suggested malignancy, but the cat showed a favorable outcome, indicating mitotic activity may not predict feline melanocytic tumor behavior.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Dermatology
- Oncology
Background:
- Feline cutaneous melanocytic tumors are uncommon, especially in young animals.
- Distinguishing benign melanocytoma from malignant melanoma is crucial for prognosis.
- Pediatric cases present unique diagnostic challenges.
Abstract:
A feline cutaneous melanocytic tumor in a 1-year-old cat is reported. The cytologic, histologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of the pediatric feline cutaneous melanocytoma are included. A solitary, black-colored nodule on the head was histologically diagnosed as the epithelioid type of melanocytoma. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic melanocytes demonstrated immunoreactivity to the S100 and MelanA antibodies but not to the PNL2 antibody. Despite high mitotic counts (17/10HPFs) and a Ki67 index (33%) suggesting malignant melanoma, the patient exhibited a favorable 5-month outcome. The mitotic activity of the neoplastic cells may not provide a reliable prediction for feline melanocytic tumors.
