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Malignant Amelanotic Melanoma Behind the Left Eye in a Female Crj:CD(SD)IGS Rat: A Case Report

Pathology Division, Kashima Laboratory, Mitsubishi Chemical Safety Institute Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan

Abstract

A tumor behind the left eye in a female Crj:CD(SD)IGS rat was investigated histopathologically, immunohistopathologically, and electron microscopically. The tumor invaded and destroyed orbital tissues and bones. It consisted of various tumor cells; namely, spindle-shaped, epithelioid, anaplastic melanoma cells, and had prominent eosinophilic cytoplasm and nuclei with a greater variation in size. Immunohistochemically, almost all of the tumor cells were positive for antimelanoma, PNL2 antibody. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells were rich in small vesicles containing fine granules and filamentous structures. This is the first report describing an amelanotic melanoma in the head of an albino rat.

Key words: Albino rats; amelanotic melanoma; electron microscopy; immunohistochemistry; melanocytes; PNL2 immunoreactivity; premelanosome.

Request reprints from Dr. T Kurotaki, Pathology Division, Kashima Laboratory, Mitsubishi Chemical Safety Institute Ltd., 14 Sunayama, Kamisu-shi, Ibaraki 314-0255 (Japan). E-mail: kurotaki{at}ankaken.co.jp