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  Discussion on Melanoma on the eyelid
Author Message
New Member:
Duplisse

Posted on Friday, Aug 22, 2003 - 11:22 pm:

I have a 7 yr old dapple gray Egyption Arabian. Recently he has developed a lump on the upper eyelid. My vet believes it to be a melanoma and wants to remove it surgically. He said the only way to find out for sure is to do a biopsy, but that is risky because aggravating the growth sometimes can cause more problems. He said he will attempt to remove the affected eyelid and the growth then stretch the remaining eyelid sections together and suture them. If the it is melanoma and he can't get it all it may grow back and at that point he believes we should remove the eye. He talked to an opthomologist who suggested the removal, but that doctor never even looked at the pictures of my horse. I am very nervous about this and would love to have your opinion. The pictures I am including are titled as sarcoid, because I thought that this was more likely the type of growth it was. He has only one other growth on his neck, but none in the areas one would expect like the anus, sheath, penis, etc.eyelideyelid2eyelid3eyelid4
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 7:59 am:

Hmmmm I believe that a good surgeon should be able to close this tumor removal but it may require a little creative surgery.

If it is doubtful the space can be closed, removal should be attempted leaving the underlying mucous membrane intact, assuming it is not invaded by cancer. Then a sliding skin flap can be made to help fill the defect. This would best be accomplished with the horse under general anesthesia so better inspection and more precision possible.
DrO
Member:
Duplisse

Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 4:09 pm:

Thanks Dr. O! The surgery is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon under GA. I'll keep you posted and pass along your recommendations to my vet!

Ginger
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