Agreement between cytology and histopathology for metastasis in dogs with melanomas

Melanocytic neoplasms are common in dogs. Oral malignant melanoma is the most common tumor in the oral cavity of dogs. The behavior of melanoma can be varied, and tumors may act differently based on their location, size, stage, and histopathologic features. In general, melanocytic neoplasms in haired skin tend to behave in a more benign fashion, whereas those in the oral cavity often have an aggressive metastatic course. However, anatomic location alone is not sufficient to predict biologic behavior, as it has been shown that histologically well-differentiated melanomas behave in a benign fashion, even if located within the oral cavity.
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Clinical Pathology Source Type: research