Management of conjunctival and corneal melanoma with surgical excision, amniotic membrane allograft, and topical chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate a novel method of management for extensive conjunctival and corneal melanoma.


METHODS
Interventional case report. A 40-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a large, diffuse conjunctival melanoma involving 6 clock hours of the limbus. The remaining bulbar conjunctiva and the entire corneal epithelium were affected by diffuse, flat melanosis.


RESULTS
The conjunctival melanoma was completely resected microsurgically in one piece without disrupting the tumor. The conjunctival melanosis was treated with double freeze-thaw cryotherapy. The extensive conjunctival defect, involving one-half of the bulbar conjunctiva, was reconstructed with an amniotic membrane allograft. The corneal melanosis was subsequently treated with topical mitomycin C eyedrops. At 8 months follow-up, the conjunctiva and the cornea were completely healed with resolution of all pigment and 20/20 visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary evidence suggests that combined therapeutic approaches, consisting of extensive tumor removal, cryotherapy, amniotic membrane allograft, and topical mitomyin C, can be effective in the management of diffuse conjunctival and corneal melanoma arising from primary acquired melanosis.
Shields
C L
CL
Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, 900 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. carol.shields@shieldsoncology.com
Shields
J A
JA
Armstrong
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000628:therapy*; D008548:Melanosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D016685:Mitomycin