Malignant melanoma of the choroid and the ciliary body 1956-1975 in Halland and Gothenburg. Incidence, histopathology and prognosis

Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 1983 Aug;61(4):600-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.1983.tb04350.x.

Abstract

All the 91 cases of enucleated malignant melanoma of the choroid and ciliary body in an area of the Swedish west coast (630 000 inhabitants) during the period 1956-1975 are analysed. The incidence was 0.72/100 000 inhabitants and year, which means that there was no increase lately corresponding to the increase described for cutaneous melanoma. Distribution according to age, sex and cell-type corresponded to other materials. 86 tumours were choroidal, 5 were located in the ciliary body. The mortality after 15 years was 50%. Tumours of the epitheloid type showed a surprisingly low mortality (29%). In only one case, with a 10 years survival, metastases were found at the time of primary diagnosis. The possibilities for early detection of metastases were, however, small. In 11 cases a period of delay and/or other treatment had preceded enucleation. The prognosis for these cases was not worse than for those who underwent immediate enucleation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Choroid Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Choroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ciliary Body* / pathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / epidemiology*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Prognosis
  • Sweden
  • Uveal Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Uveal Neoplasms / pathology