Histopathology of eyes enucleated after endoresection of choroidal melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the histopathologic features of eyes enucleated after endoresection for choroidal melanoma to assess the complications of this treatment and to determine indications for further treatment after endoresection in the setting of possible tumor recurrence.


METHODS
Retrospective, observational case series.


METHODS
Sixty-one consecutive patients who had undergone endoresection for uveal melanoma.


METHODS
Eyes that had undergone enucleation after endoresection were identified, and their charts and histologic characteristics were reviewed. Pertinent features were described. One patient was excluded because enucleation was performed as a primary treatment when endoresection was abandoned at the time of his initial treatment.


METHODS
The outcome measures included: reasons for enucleation; tumor recurrence; and location, clinical, and histologic characteristics of each recurrence.


RESULTS
Twelve eyes were identified that had undergone enucleation after endoresection. The reasons for enucleation were: (1) local tumor recurrence detected by ophthalmoscopy (2 patients) or echography (1 patient); (2) opaque media preventing adequate ophthalmoscopy (4 patients); (3) blind and painful eye of uncertain cause (1 patient); and (4) a combination of blind eye and limited fundus view (4 patients), which was the result of untreatable retinal detachment (3 patients) and endophthalmitis (1 patient). Eight of 12 patients had recurrent choroidal melanoma. Recurrences were all located adjacent to the resection site, although in 1 patient there was extensive diffuse recurrence throughout the eye. The recurrence was visible clinically in 3 patients and obscured because of opaque media (2 patients), a combination of inadequate echography and retinal detachment (1 patient), retinal detachment (1 patient), and endophthalmitis (1 patient).


CONCLUSIONS
Recurrent disease occurred at the site of the primary tumor with no seeding except in 1 patient, whose marginal recurrence was not immediately detected and treated because of opaque media. As with other treatments conserving the eye, enucleation should be performed if adequate ocular examination is not possible, and follow-up should be lifelong.
Hadden
Peter W
PW
Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre, St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom. peterandandy@hotmail.com
Hiscott
Paul S
PS
Damato
Bertil E
BE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D012189:Retrospective Studies