Fluorescent in situ hybridization for monosomy 3 via 30-gauge fine-needle aspiration biopsy of choroidal melanoma in vivo.
OBJECTIVE
To report the feasibility of intraoperative transscleral fine-needle aspiration biopsy at plaque surgery to obtain cells for monosomy 3 analysis in patients with choroidal melanoma.


METHODS
Consecutive interventional case series.


METHODS
Eighteen patients (18 eyes) with choroidal melanoma who had fine-needle aspiration biopsy performed with a 30-gauge needle at time of iodine 125 plaque placement.


METHODS
Cytology and cytogenetic analysis for monosomy 3 were obtained from biopsy specimens.


METHODS
Cytology, cytogenetic analysis for monosomy 3, and complications and feasibility of transscleral fine-needle aspiration biopsy of choroidal melanoma in vivo.


RESULTS
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was diagnostic of choroidal melanoma in 14 of 18 cases and resulted in viable cell cultures for fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis in 9 cases. Fluorescent in situ hybridization for monosomy 3 was positive in 4 of the 9 cases. One patient had a mild vitreous hemorrhage. Tumors between 2 and 3 mm in height and those that yielded cells that did not attach in culture were most likely to have insufficient growth for FISH analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Transscleral fine-needle aspiration biopsy and FISH for monosomy 3 may provide important prognostic information on patients who undergo plaque radiotherapy for choroidal melanoma.
Young
Tara A
TA
Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-7000, USA. young@jsei.ucla.edu
Rao
Nagesh P
NP
Glasgow
Ben J
BJ
Moral
Joel N
JN
Straatsma
Bradley R
BR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002893:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 / Q000235:genetics*; D003582:Cytogenetics / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009006:Monosomy / Q000235:genetics*