A rapidly growing choroidal melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
We describe a rapidly growing choroidal melanoma that failed to respond to consecutive globe-sparing treatments in an individual with ocular melanocytosis.


METHODS
Interventional case report.


METHODS
A 53-year-old man with right ocular melanocytosis, decreased vision in the right eye, and right eye pain was referred for suspected choroidal melanoma. The lesion, which measured 2.4 mm x 6.6 mm x 6.0 mm, was treated with transpupillary thermotherapy on two occasions and with iodine-125 (I-125) plaque brachytherapy, both of which failed. Enucleation allowed histologic analysis.


RESULTS
At enucleation, the choroidal melanoma in the right eye measured 13.6 mm x 16.5 mm x 16.9 mm, which demonstrated the most rapid growth and doubling time reported in a tumor of this type thus far. Pathologic analysis classified the tumor as a mixed-cell type.


CONCLUSIONS
This case reiterates the association between ocular melanocytosis and choroidal melanoma, provides additional evidence that rapid growth and doubling time may be associated with transpupillary thermotherapy and I-125 plaque failure, and highlights the need to follow those tumors closely.
Laquis
Stephen J
SJ
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA.
Freeman
John M
JM
Fleming
James C
JC
Wilson
Matthew W
MW
Haik
Barrett G
BG
D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014463:Ultrasonography