Post-surgical outcome and prognostic factors in canine malignant melanomas of the haired skin: 87 cases (2003-2015)

• Published in: Canadian veterinary journal Vol. 59; no. 9; pp. 981 - 987
• Main Authors: Laver, Travis, Feldhaeusser, Brittany R, Robat, Cecilia S, Baez, Jennifer L, Cronin, Kim L, Buracco, Paolo, Annoni, Maurizio, Regan, Rebecca C, McMillan, Sarah K, Curran, Kaitlin M, Selmic, Laura E, Shiu, Kai-Biu, Clark, Kyle, Fagan, Erin, Thamm, Douglas H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Canadian Veterinary Medical Association 01-09-2018
• Subjects: Scientific
• ISSN: 0008-5286

The medical records of 87 dogs treated with surgery for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) of the haired skin were retrospectively reviewed for overall survival time (OST), progression-free survival time (PFS), and prognostic factors. The post-surgery median PFS and median OST were 1282 days and 1363 days, respectively. The post-surgery metastatic rate was 21.8% with a local recurrence rate of 8%. Increasing mitotic index (MI) was predictive of a significantly decreased OST and PFS on multivariable analysis [hazard ratio (HR): 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02 to 1.07 and HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.06, respectively]. Increasing age was likewise predictive of a significantly decreased OST and PFS on multivariable analysis (HR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.65 and HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.54, respectively). These results confirm clinical impressions that long survival times are likely in dogs diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the haired skin when treated with surgery alone.