title: Feline non-ocular melanoma: a retrospective study of 23 cases (1991-1999).
abstract: Non-ocular melanoma is considered to be a rare neoplasm in cats; however, more than 150 cases have been reported in the literature since 1961. The objective of this study was to characterise this tumour better by evaluating case outcome and survival data for cats with melanoma and to compare clinical and histopathological findings with those of previous reports. Twenty-three feline non-ocular melanomas were identified, the most common locations being the nose, digit and pinna. Cats with digital melanomas had survival rates similar to their canine counterparts. Histological assignation of benignity, malignancy or junctional activity was not found to be an accurate predictor of clinical behaviour. Melanoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis for cats presenting with pigmented or non-pigmented masses and histopathology is essential for definitive diagnosis, as other tumours may clinically appear quite similar. Regular follow-up examinations are recommended indefinitely for benign or malignant feline melanomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Higginbotham
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Turnquist
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004423:Ear; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D009666:Nose; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D014034:Toes