Melanoma

Question 1

What is a melanoma?

Answer 1

A malignant transformation of melanocytes

Question 2

T/F: Melanomas are the most common tumors

Answer 2

False

Melanomas are common but second to sarcoids.

Question 3

What type of horse are melanomas common in ?

Answer 3

• Gray horses

- older horses

Question 4

What are the typical characterisitcs of a melanoma?

Answer 4

• slow growing
• benign
• Malignant
• metastasis

Question 5

What locations are commonly affected by melanomas?

Answer 5

• Perineal region***
• ventral tail
• prepuse
• head
• neck
• lip
• (ears, spleen, lung, blood vessels)

Question 6

What are the clinical presentation of Melanomas?

Answer 6

• Darkly pigmented
• ulceration
• necrosis
• regional interference

Question 7

What diagnositc test must be performed to get a diffinitive diagnosis of Melanoma?

Answer 7

BIOPSY

-see accumulation of melanocytes

Question 8

What are the treatment options for Melanomas?

Answer 8

• surgery
• radiation
• intratumoral chemo / immunotherapy
• systemic chemotherapy

Question 9

What is used for Non specific systemic chemotherapeutic treatment of melanomas?

Answer 9

Cimetidine

Question 10

What is used specific systemic chemotherapeutic treatment of melanomas?

Answer 10

“Cancer vaccine”

Question 11

What surgical technique can be used to remove a melanoma in regions such as the eye lid where there is not much skin?

Answer 11

Sliding flap technique

• DO NOT undermine more than 4 cm (~2in)
• Burrows triangles should be 1/2 x