Irradiated uveal melanomas: cytopathologic correlation with prognosis.
OBJECTIVE
We analyzed the additional prognostic information from cytopathologic data obtained at the time of uveal melanoma irradiation.


METHODS
Fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) were performed and reviewed in a masked manner. These data and standard prognostic variables were correlated with survival and local tumor recurrence using Kaplan-Meier and Cox model statistical techniques.


RESULTS
Cytopathologic assessment of cell type added to prognostic accuracy. In 116 patients, the percentage of epithelioid cells on FNAB and ciliary body involvement were most strongly correlated with melanoma-related mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
FNAB data improved our prognostic accuracy in irradiated uveal melanoma patients.
Char
D H
DH
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Kroll
S M
SM
Miller
T
T
Castro
J
J
Quivey
J
J
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001918:Brachytherapy; D006371:Helium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015996:Survival Rate; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes; D006371:Helium