Surgical excision of a malignant metastatic melanoma located in a skeletal muscle of the lateral thorax of a horse.

BACKGROUND: A 20-year-old grey Warmblood gelding that had history of dermal melanomatosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report surgical treatment of a 6-cm large malignant metastatic melanoma located in the cutaneous trunci muscle of the left lateral thorax of a horse.

METHODS: A 20-year-old grey Warmblood gelding was referred for evaluation of a large, rapidly growing, thoracic mass. Clinical examination revealed an ovoid, firm, non-painful, movable mass, approximately 6 cm in diameter, located in the cutaneous trunci muscle of the left lateral thorax. Multiple melanocytic nodules were also found at the perianal region and ventral tail. Rectal examination, ultrasonography and endoscopy of the respiratory tract revealed no melanomas internally. Haematological and biochemical values were within normal limits. Surgical excision of both the thoracic mass and perianal nodules was the treatment of choice. Histopathology of the distant thoracic mass confirmed the diagnosis of malignant metastatic melanoma secondary to the perineal lesions that were confirmed as dermal melanomatosis.

RESULTS: The horse recovered uneventfully. Up until 3 years post surgery there was no tumour regrowth at the excision sites.

CONCLUSION: Surgical excision of the metastatic melanoma was performed and considered successful, with no gross evidence of tumour reoccurrence. Despite the fact that surgical excision is considered a treatment option regarding equine dermal melanomatosis, there is no previously published study proposing surgical removal of distant malignant metastatic melanocytic masses. This is the first report of a successful surgical excision of a large (6 cm) metastatic melanocytic tumour from the skeletal muscle of the lateral thorax of a horse.