Disease Description: A rare cancer developing from the type of skin cell which produces pigment (melanin).

Inherit Mode: -

Disease Symptom: Benign Melanomas: Benign cutaneous melanomas of dogs are usually seen as round, firm, raised, darkly pigmented masses from one-quarter to 2 inches in diameter. They occur most often on the head, digits or back. Malignant Melanomas: Lymph node swelling or enlargement may be a clinical sign of malignant spread of a melanoma. An abnormally concentrated amount of melanin (pigment) is often another hallmark of melanomas. However, some melanomas do not display the characteristic darkly pigmented color of most melanomas.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: A definitive diagnosis is made via microscopic analysis (histopathology evaluation by a Specialist in Veterinary Pathology) of a small section of the growth. Also called a tumor biopsy, the examining pathologist usually will grade the specimen according to how actively the cells are replicating. This gives an approximation of how likely the growth is to invade and spread. If an entire growth is removed, the pathologist can report on the tissue's grade as well as any evidence that parts of the tumor may not have been thoroughly excised by the surgeon.

Treat Method: Treatment of melanomas is best provided by surgical excision of the tumor and nearby surrounding tissue. Localized tumors may be completely removed and the patient cured. However, if a malignant melanoma has had the opportunity to spread to distant areas of the body, the prognosis for the dog is not favorable. Chemotherapy has been performed with marginal success, though complete remissions of metastatic melanoma cases are rare. Fortunately most cutaneous (skin) melanomas are benign; nevertheless, individual growths should be evaluated carefully as any given melanoma may become malignant.

Breeder Advice: -

Disease Description Source: Link