Tumor size as a predictor of lymphatic invasion in oral melanomas of dogs

Kenneth A. Carroll, Charles A. Kuntz, Jane Heller, Andrew Peters, Randi Rotne, Andrew Dunn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To investigate putative associations between oral melanoma size and parameters of histological grade such as mitotic index, nuclear atypia, junctional activity, ulceration, lymphatic invasion and degree of pigmentation.Design: Retrospective case seriesSamples: 59 samples of canine oral melanoma sourced from six diagnostic laboratories within Australia.Procedures: The size of each melanoma was microscopically measured, and each sample was evaluated for parameters of histological grade including mitotic index, nuclear atypia, junctional activity, ulceration, lymphatic invasion and degree of pigmentation, by a veterinary pathologist. The association between tumor size and histological outcomes was then explored using a variety of statistical analyses.Results: A significant relationship was identified between the size of oral melanomas and one histological parameter of grade: lymphatic invasion; with larger tumors, more likely to show invasion (P = 0.023), and further analysis revealed two applicable size thresholds for different clinical scenarios. Lymphatic invasion can confidently be ruled out for tumors <6.5 mm (100% sensitivity), and ruled in for tumors >24.5 mm (100% specificity) in diameter.Conclusions and clinical relevance: The two thresholds developed for lymphatic invasion provide fast, easy and clinically useful recommendations that allow for the early prognostication of oral melanomas based on clinical size.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1123-1128
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Volume256
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2020

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tumor size as a predictor of lymphatic invasion in oral melanomas of dogs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this