Familial uveal melanoma: a report on two families and a review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
A total of 69 families affected by uveal melanoma have been reported in the literature. This report describes two additional families. In addition to presenting these cases, which constitute exceptions, the paper reviews the literature.


METHODS
Two families, each with two affected members, were analysed in this retrospective study. The pedigree of each family has been pieced together.


RESULTS
Considering the low incidence of familial uveal melanoma in the general population, it seems unlikely that inherited genetic factors are responsible for the condition; this question remains difficult to resolve.


CONCLUSIONS
The characteristics of each family history are described and compared with the literature data. The mode of possible inheritance is discussed. Both the histopathology and anatomical location are studied, after which we discuss the body of evidence to establish whether there is an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome in patients with familial uveal melanoma.


CONCLUSIONS
The statistical likelihood of such an uncommon tumour occurring independently in two or more family members leads us to believe that some cases of familial uveal melanoma may go unrecognized, and that reports on too few families have been published worldwide to prove the existence of a single mendelien gene. However, appropriate tissue samples, such as blood and tumour samples, should be obtained and conserved for present or future cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies.
Kodjikian
Laurent
L
Hospices Civils de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard, University Eye Clinic, Croix Rousse Hospital, Department of Ophthalmologie, 103 Grande rue de la Croix Rousse, 69004 Lyon, France. kodjikian.laurent@wanadoo.fr
Nguyen
Khôi
K
Lumbroso
Livia
L
Gauthier-Villars
Marion
M
Chauvel
Pierre
P
Plauchu
Henri
H
Sterkers
Margaret
M
Devouassoux
Mojgan
M
Grange
Jean-Daniel
JD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology