Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of congenital cutaneous melanomas in calves (3 cases)

Abstract

Three male calves with a dark mass, hanging down on the skin at various parts of the body, were presented for
clinical examination. All masses were present at the birth of the calves and their size increased with time. The masses were extirpated
by a routine surgical operation and presented for histopathological examination. Tumour cells having cytoplasmic melanin granules
showed a round or spindle-shaped nuclei. The mean mitotic rate was 5-7 at a high power field. Neoplastic melanocytes displayed an
evident cytoplasmic immunolabeling to Melan A, HMB-45, S-100, NSE, and Vimentin. Tumour cells showed a nuclear positivity for
Ki-67. Nuclear pleomorphism and a high mitotic rate along with the positive reaction of neoplastic cells to the melanocytic markers
were indicative of melanoma. Nevertheless, neoplasms originating from melanocytes always need advanced imaging techniques along
with histopathological and immunohistochemical examination while assessing biological behavior of the tumour.  

Keywords

• Calves
• congenital cutaneous melanoma
• histopathology
• immunohistochemistry.

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