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Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Program

Biology of uveal melanoma

• Posterior uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignant tumor in adults and consists of ciliary body, ciliochoroidal and choroidal melanomas.

• The incidence of uveal melanoma is about 1/100,000 population per year and only one-twenty fifth that of cutaneous melanoma.

• Over 95 % of patients have disease limited to the eye at diagnosis but at least 30 % of these patients will subsequently develop systemic metastases.

• Liver is the first site of systemic metastasis for most patients and can be the only site of metastases. The clinical course of patients with uveal melanoma is determined by progression of the disease in the liver.

• Despite advances in diagnosis and management of the primary uveal melanoma, systemic metastases from uveal melanoma are usually difficult to treat.

• Median survivals after development of visceral metastasis are reported to be 2 months without treatment and up to 5 months with some forms of treatment (Gragoudas et al. Ophthalmology 1991; 98: 383-90).