Epidemiologic study of the canine bucal melanoma

• Grant number: 18/16498-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Lucia Zaidan Dagli
• Grantee: Marcella Collaneri Carrilho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Currently, there is a considerable increase in the incidence of cancer in dogs, having a great correlation with the greater longevity reached by these animals. It is a multifactorial disease and is already considered the major cause of mortality of pets. Among the possible sites of neoplastic disease, the oral cavity is the fifth most prevalent site, with melanoma being the most common oral cancer. It has variable characteristics, being able to have gingival origin, jugal mucosa, hard palate and oral mucosa. It is a locally extremely aggressive tumor with high metastatic potential. Considering the lack of data on this disease in the Brazilian literature, this study aims, through the application of a questionnaire, the epidemiological evaluation of oral melanoma in dogs, providing tools for a better diagnostic approach, more appropriate treatment establishment and a prognosis.