Melanoma

Question 1

Melanoma Definition

Answer 1

Tumors that arise from the malignant transformation of normal melanocytes.

Question 2

Melanoma:

1. Most common secondary to ______
2. More common in what color horses?
3. More common in (young/old) horses?

Answer 2

1. Sarcoids
2. Gray
3. Older

Question 3

Melanoma

1. (slow/fast) growing?
2. (benign/malignant/either)?
3. (do/do not) metastasis

Answer 3

1. Slow
2. Either
3. Do

Question 4

Common Locations of Melanoma:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Answer 4

1. Perineal region
2. Ventral tail
3. Prepuce
4. Head
5. Neck
6. Tail

Question 5

Clinical Presentation of Melanoma

1. Color?
2. May be ____ and exhibit signs of ____.

Answer 5

1. Dark pigmentation

2. ulcerated necrosis

Question 6

Diagnosis of Melanoma

Methods:
1.
2.

Answer 6

1. Signalment

2. Biopsy

Question 7

Treatment of Melanoma

1.
2.
3.
4.

Answer 7

1. Surgery
2. Radiation
3. Intratumoral chemo/immunotherapy
4. Systemic treatment: Nonspecific (cimetidine) or specific (“cancer vaccine”

Question 8

Techniques for surgical removal of Melanoma:

1.

Answer 8

1. Sliding flap technique

Question 9

When using the sliding flap technique, what are the “Burows Triangles”? What do you do with them?

Answer 9

They are the triangles left behind, and you use scissors and forceps to cut them out. Usually not reccomended to cut skin with scissors though, but you can in the field. Otherwise just use scalpel to cut em out.

Question 10

Describe suture placement in the sliding flap technique for removal of melanoma

Answer 10

First suture should have a clean edge, with a small gap between flap and periphery.

Question 11

When undermining for a flap for removal of melanoma, do not undermine > _____.

Why?

Answer 11

4 cm (~2 inchs)

The segment will slough