Oral melanoma with pulmonary metastasis in a Nigerian local dog

Abstract

Melanomas are the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm of the canine oral cavity accounting for about 7% of all malignant tumours in the dog. Less frequently, metastasis via regional lymph nodes and to the lungs and other organs may occur. A case report of oral melanoma with pulmonary metastasis in a Nigerian local dog is hereby presented. Grossly, irregularly shaped, markedly dark, soft mass was located beneath the premolar and molar teeth on the left mandible. The lungs were also covered with numerous raised, dark, glistening nodules of various sizes ranging from 0.2cm-0.5cm in diameter. Cytomorphological evaluation of the mass via impression smear stained with Giemsa revealed monomorphic round cells with deeply basophilic cytoplasm with grey to dark fine intracytoplasmic pigments. Histological section stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin revealed similar cells with fine grey to dark intracytoplasmic pigments.

Keywords: Melanoma, One Health, Oral cavity, Pulmonary Metastasis, Tumor