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Medical Subject Headings

Uveal Melanoma; Iris Melanoma; Nevus; Uvea; Iris; Choroid; Ciliary Body; Neoplasm Metastasis; Liver; Fundus Examination; Gene Expression Profiling; Early Detection of Cancer; Adult; Case Reports

Abstract

Background: Uveal melanoma is the most common primary cancer of the eye. It can be diagnosed with fundus exam and ancillary tests. Metastasis occurs in about half of primary uveal melanoma patients and is very often fatal. The liver is the most common site of metastasis. Iris melanomas are the least common type of uveal melanoma. Choroidal and ciliary body melanoma are the most common. Iris nevi are quite common and the rate of transformation into melanoma is low but early detection is critical given the high mortality rate associated with metastasis.

Case Report: This case highlights the importance of monitoring iris nevi in a professional setting. A patient who had not had an eye exam in 20 years but who did know he had an iris nevus presented for a routine eye exam. It was found his previously small iris nevus had transformed into a large iris melanoma.

Conclusion: Gene expression profiling has allowed for increased accuracy in determining the rate of metastasis for an individual diagnosed with iris melanoma. Periodic systemic evaluation is necessary due to the likelihood of metastatic disease in the presence of iris melanoma.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.37685/uiwlibraries.2575-7717.8.1.1048

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