A case report of non-systemic highly aggressive melanoma in a cow

A five-year-old Jersey cow with a history of growing mass in the brisket region since 5 months was brought for the treatment at Veterinary Hospital. The radiographic details of the animal revealed no metastasized masses in the distant organs like heart and lungs. Grossly, the cut surfaces of growing mass was dark blackish with shades of brown colour. Microscopically, the growth revealed proliferating neoplastic melanocytes differentiated to form solid sheets, cellular clusters and parallel cords. The neoplastic cells were invaded into nearby blood vessels indicative of micrometastasis. The cells were pleomorphic in nature laden with dark brown to black coloured melanin pigment. The nuclei were hyperchromatic contained 2–3 prominent nucleoli. Few multinucle- ated giant cells and high mitotic figures were also seen. The melanin pigment was confirmed by Masson-Fontana-Silver staining technique. The histopathological characteristics with micrometastasis and radiography were indicative of non-systemic melanoma.

How to cite this article: Madheswaran, R., Shahana, S., Gopal, K. and Sankar, P. (2019). A case report of non-systemic highly aggressive melanoma in a cow. Indian J. Vet. Pathol., 43(2): 124–126.