Predictors of clinical behavior for feline diffuse iris melanoma

The eye is the most common location for feline melanocytic neoplasia, with feline diffuse iris melanoma (FDIM) accounting for 26% of feline submissions to an ocular pathology laboratory, and 50% of feline neoplasms diagnosed by the lab. Feline diffuse iris melanomas typically begin as flat, hyperpigmented foci on the iris, but progress to affect larger portions of the iris, ciliary body, iridocorneal angle, and sclera often was in association with uveitis or glaucoma. Metastatic rates of 24 to 63% have been reported with metastasis typically occurring to distant organs, including liver, lung, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone.
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Ophthalmology Source Type: research