Malignt melanom hos hund

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to describe melanotic tumours and the pathogenesis of these tumours. The focus of this study is on differences between benign and malignant tumours as well as the prognosis one may expect when diagnosing this disease. The mechanisms responsible for the occurrences of the tumours are not yet fully understood. It is believed that factors such as chronic trauma, infections, medications and hormones affect the cell mechanisms in some way. Determinants of the malignancy of the tumour are not completely known. What generally can be said is that tumours arising from the haired skin are benign, whereas tumours arising from the oral cavity in most cases are malignant. When diagnosing, it is important to examine histological appearance as well as biological behaviour. There are several cases when tumours appear histological benign but behave malignantly. Today, surgical excision seems to be the best treatment option. The prognosis is poor and about 70% of dogs with undifferentiated melanoma die within two years after surgery. The reason seems to be the high metastasis rate of malignant melanomas.