Lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma in white patients with oculo(dermal) melanocytosis.
OBJECTIVE
In the white population, an association between oculo(dermal) melanocytosis (ODM) and uveal melanoma is well recognized. However, the lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma in the ODM population is not known. This study was designed to determine the lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma among patients with ocular melanocytosis.


METHODS
Fifty-six white patients manifesting ODM with uveal melanoma formed the basis of the study.


METHODS
Published prevalence rates of ODM and uveal melanoma were used for calculations using Bayes' theorem.


RESULTS
The lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma in white patients with ODM is estimated to be 2.6 x 10(-3). The median age at diagnosis of uveal melanoma in the ODM population was similar to a randomly selected population (60.5 years and 62.5 years, respectively). In the vast majority of patients (90%) with ODM-associated uveal melanoma, the uveal melanoma was diagnosed between the ages of 31 years and 80 years.


CONCLUSIONS
One of about 400 patients with ODM followed for life is estimated to develop uveal melanoma. Excessive melanocytes in the uveal tract in ODM may provide the biologic basis for susceptibility to the development of uveal melanoma. Patients with ODM should be monitored ophthalmoscopically, especially during the susceptible period, for the development of uveal melanoma. The authors suggest that a national registry of ODM patients be created and prospective data collected to better assess the risk of developing uveal melanoma.
Singh
A D
AD
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
De Potter
P
P
Fijal
B A
BA
Shields
C L
CL
Shields
J A
JA
Elston
R C
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D044465:White People