Canine malignant melanoma is an aggressive cancer of dogs, most commonly occurring in the oral cavity, nail bed, footpad and mucocutaneous junctions. It also can occur on a dog's skin. Melanoma is the most common oral tumor in dogs.1 It is classified into four stages, based on tumor size and invasion into other tissues. Oral melanoma has a strong tendency to spread to distant areas of the body (metastasize).

If it turns out the mole is cancerous, Mr. Vik Vijh will perform a simple surgery at TIA. Local anaesthetic will be used, and the mole, along with some of the surrounding skin, will be excised to make sure the cancer is completely removed. Stitches will then be used to close the wound. If you have additional questions regarding cosmetic surgery or other procedures, please contact Dr. Vik Vijh at TIA in Birmingham, London, Oxford, or Hereford, and we will be happy to assist you. See similar questions...

Although most pigment-producing cells are in the skin, some melanocytes occur in other parts of the body. These cells can also become malignant. Melanoma that begins in the eye is called ocular melanoma. Although the incidence is very rare, melanoma also can begin in the gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, brain, and other areas of the body. See similar questions...

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that starts in the pigment-producing skin cells called melanocytes. These cells become abnormal, grow uncontrollably, and aggressively invade surrounding tissues. Although melanoma is less common than other types of skin cancer, it is the most serious. Fortunately, melanoma may be cured if caught and treated in its early stages when it affects only the skin. See similar questions...

This therapeutic vaccine uses DNA expressing the human tyrosinase gene. The tyrosinase encoded by the xenogeneic (different-species) DNA used in this vaccine is homologous to canine tyrosinase and has been shown to stimulate an immune response to canine melanoma cells expressing tyrosinase. The use of DNA from a noncanine species results in tyrosinase that is not considered a self-antigen by the canine immune system, thereby stimulating a good immune response. See similar questions...

The therapeutic vaccine is administered transdermally in four doses biweekly. Each 0.4 mL dose is injected in the medial thigh using the Canine Transdermal Device. The strengths of the spring systems in the two devices are different and cannot be interchanged. The VET JET has only been approved for use in cats for the administration of PUREVAX Feline Leukemia vaccine. The Canine Transdermal Device has a much stronger spring system for intramuscular administration in dogs. See similar questions...

This is a unique biotherapeutic with a highly specialized mode of action. It is critical to maintain control over the proper use of this vaccine in clinical cases. While the vaccine is governed by a conditional license, Merial will be working with specialists practicing veterinary oncology to monitor and gather additional efficacy and safety data regarding the vaccine. Veterinarians are encouraged to work with specialists in their area for referrals. See similar questions...

Melanoma is a malignancy of melanocytes, special cells in the skin which synthesize skin pigment. It is the most rapidly increasing form of cancer in the US. Although all causes of melanoma are not known with certainty, epidemiologic studies suggest that brief, intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation contributes to the development of melanoma. See similar questions...

Your health professional will examine your skin to look for melanoma. If he or she suspects melanoma, a biopsy of the affected skin is needed to make a diagnosis. For this, your health professional will remove a sample of tissue, and a pathologist will examine it under a microscope to check for cancer cells. If the biopsy shows melanoma, more testing (such as a sentinel lymph node biopsy) may be necessary to determine whether the melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes. See similar questions...

You can prevent all forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, by avoiding overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Avoid sunbathing and tanning salons. UV rays from artificial sources such as tanning beds and sunlamps are just as dangerous as those from the sun.2 Perform a skin self-exam monthly to identify suspicious growths that may be cancer or growths that may develop into skin cancer (precancers). See similar questions...

It is a rare cancer that develops within the eyeball in a tissue called the uvea. It is subdivided into iris, ciliary body, and choroidal melanoma depending on the tumor location. See similar questions...

This word is derived from the Latin malignus which meant evil disposed, and is used as the opposite of benign. A malignant brain tumor is life-threatening. Malignant brain tumors possess certain chemicals which enable them to infiltrate into other tissues and spread into other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are almost impossible to remove totally by surgery, unless they are caught early in their course. See similar questions...

The most definitive and diagnosis of brain tumors are done by analyzing a fragment of the tumor under the microscope by the pathologist. The surgeon removes a piece of the tumor and sends it to the pathologist. Using special tissue staining methods, the pathologist can tell whether the tumor is classified under a benign or malignant category. However, this is only the first step in a patient's management. See similar questions...

Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious type of asbestos-related disease because it is both incurable and fatal. Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the mesothelial tissue lining of three large body cavities: the pleura (lung cavity), the peritoneum (abdominal cavity) and the pericardium (heart sac). Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma and is often confused with viral pneumonia because of certain symptomatic similarities between the two. See similar questions...