Diagnosis and histopathologic prognostication of canine melanocytic neoplasms: A consensus of the Oncology-Pathology Working Group

Rebecca C Smedley; Laura Bongiovanni; Cynthia Bacmeister; Craig A Clifford; Neil Christensen; Jennifer M Dreyfus; Joy M Gary; Alana Pavuk; Peter H Rowland; Christine Swanson; Chelsea Tripp; J Paul Woods; Philip J Bergman

doi:10.1111/vco.12827

Diagnosis and histopathologic prognostication of canine melanocytic neoplasms: A consensus of the Oncology-Pathology Working Group

Vet Comp Oncol. 2022 Dec;20(4):739-751. doi: 10.1111/vco.12827. Epub 2022 Jul 4.

Authors

Rebecca C Smedley¹, Laura Bongiovanni^{2

3}, Cynthia Bacmeister⁴, Craig A Clifford⁵, Neil Christensen^{6

7}, Jennifer M Dreyfus^{8

9}, Joy M Gary^{10

11}, Alana Pavuk¹², Peter H Rowland¹³, Christine Swanson¹⁴, Chelsea Tripp¹⁵, J Paul Woods¹⁶, Philip J Bergman¹⁷

Affiliations

¹ Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, USA.
² Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
³ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
⁴ Anatomic Pathology, Antech Diagnostics, Fountain Valley, California, USA.
⁵ Oncology Service, Hope Veterinary Specialists/BluePearl, Malvern, Pennsylvania, USA.
⁶ Oncology Service, Veterinary Specialty Hospital Hong Kong, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
⁷ Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
⁸ Anatomic Pathology, Dreyfus Veterinary Pathology Consulting, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
⁹ School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
¹⁰ Neuropathology, StageBio, Frederick, Maryland, USA.
¹¹ Comparative Biomedical Training Program, Molecular Pathology Unit, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
¹² Anatomic Pathology, Antech Diagnostics, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
¹³ Biopsy Service, Histopath Consulting, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
¹⁴ Oncology Service, BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
¹⁵ Oncology Service, Bridge Animal Referral Center, Edmonds, Washington, USA.
¹⁶ Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁷ Clinical Studies, VCA, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Abstract

One of the primary objectives of the Oncology Pathology Working Group (OPWG) is for oncologists and pathologists to collaboratively generate consensus documents to standardize aspects of and provide guidelines for veterinary oncologic pathology. Consensus is established through review of relevant peer-reviewed literature relative to a subgroup's particular focus. In this article, the authors provide a critical review of the current literature for the diagnosis of, and histopathologic prognostication for, canine cutaneous and oral/lip melanocytic neoplasms, suggest guidelines for reporting, provide recommendations for clinical interpretation, and discuss future directions. This document represents the opinions of the working group and the authors and does not constitute a formal endorsement by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine or the Veterinary Cancer Society.

Keywords: cancer; dogs; melanoma; oncology; pathology; prognosis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Consensus
Dog Diseases* / diagnosis
Dogs
Medical Oncology
Neoplasms* / veterinary
Pathology, Veterinary*