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Epibulbar melanoma in a foal
Author(s) -
McMullen Richard J.,
Clode Alison B.,
Pandiri Arun Kumar R.,
Malarkey David E.,
Michau Tammy Miller,
Gilger Brian C.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2008.00637.x
Subject(s) - enucleation , sclera , pathology , foal , melanoma , choroid , cornea , medicine , neoplasm , eye enucleation , anatomy , biology , surgery , ophthalmology , retina , genetics , cancer research , neuroscience
A case of epibulbar melanoma in a 6‐month‐old, gelded, chestnut Hanoverian foal is reported. The location and clinical appearance upon initial presentation led to the tentative diagnosis of staphyloma or a congenital mass of unknown origin. An attempt was made to surgically excise the mass under general anesthesia, but due to its infiltrative nature and intraoperative appearance, most, but not all was removed without compromising the integrity of the globe. Histopathological evaluation revealed a multinodular to packeted, poorly demarcated, unencapsulated, infiltrative exophytic melanocytic neoplasm composed of bundles and nests of plump spindloid to polygonal heavily pigmented epithelioid neoplastic cells interspersed with pigment‐laden macrophages within a fine fibrovascular stroma. Upon examination after enucleation, neoplastic cells were found to infiltrate into the lateral cornea, sclera and the choroid. This is a unique case of an epibulbar melanoma with choroidal invasion in a foal. Based on the sudden onset and rapid growth as well as the histological evidence of invasion, well‐differentiated features, heavy pigmentation, and no apparent mitoses, this neoplasm was considered to be a low‐grade malignant melanoma. At 14 months after excision there is no evidence of recurrence.