Canine Melanoma
Canine melanoma is the most common malignant tumor found in the mouth.1,2 It also is seen on the skin and in the nail bed and footpad1 and is the most common neoplasm of the dog’s eye.3
All cases of oral melanoma should be considered malignant and potentially fatal, regardless of the lab results.4
Melanoma tumors of the mouth can grow rapidly and quickly spread to lymph nodes, liver, lungs and kidneys.5
1 | Bergman PJ, et al. Development of a xenogeneic DNA vaccine program for canine malignant melanoma at the Animal Medical Center. Vaccine 2006;24:4582-4585. |
2 | Bergman PJ, et al. Long-Term Survival of Dogs with Advanced Malignant Melanoma after DNA Vaccination with Xenogeneic Human Tyrosinase: A Phase I Trial. Clinical Cancer Research 2003;9:1284-1290. |
3 | Smith SH, et al. A Comparative Review of Melanocytic Neoplasms. Veterinary Pathology 2002;39:651-678. |
4 | Cronin K. Canine and feline oral tumors: Earlier is better. DVM 2005;36(8):22. |
5 | Liao JCF, et al. Vaccination with human tyrosinase DNA induces antibody responses in dogs with advanced melanoma. Cancer Immunity 2006;6:8-17. |