Australian Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines for the management of ocular and periocular melanoma: an evidence-based literature analysis.
BACKGROUND
With recent advances in the diagnosis and management of ocular and periocular melanoma, many of which are based on results from randomized control trials, there is an increasing need for an evidence-based review of the literature for the Australasian population. The Australian Cancer Network has recently redeveloped the evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma, including a chapter on ocular melanoma. These are the first evidence-based guidelines on ocular melanoma to be created by the Australian Cancer Network.


METHODS
The primary research questions were formed and a detailed literature search was undertaken. Each relevant article was assessed and graded I-IV according to the level of evidence. Articles were grouped into bodies of evidence which were then assessed.


RESULTS
A total of 107 relevant articles were identified and grouped into 12 bodies of evidence. Guidelines based on this analysis were formulated and graded. These are presented below.


CONCLUSIONS
The management of ocular melanoma has benefited from recent advances in imaging, molecular biology and cytogenetics, and tumours today are detected earlier and with greater accuracy than 25 years ago. With improved treatment ocular and periocular melanomas can be controlled locally, with good preservation of vision in many patients. However, there remains no cure for metastatic disease.
Skalicky
Simon E
SE
Save Sight Institute, Sydney Eye Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Holt
Phoebe E
PE
Giblin
Michael
M
Taylor
Simon
S
Conway
R Max
RM
D001315:Australia; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic