title: [Analysis and long-term observation after surgical treatment of patients with tumours of the iris].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Iris melanomas are rare tumours: they account for 2-3 % of all uveal melanomas. The clinical differentiation between benign iris nevi and malignant iris melanomas can be difficult.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was the registration, analysis and observation of all patients with tumours of the anterior uvea who had been treated surgically between 1992 and 2011 at the ophthalmic department of the University Hospital of Jena. 40 patients were analysed and compared concerning their preoperative states, operating methods including complications, histological results, postoperative function, subjective complaints as well as the risk of metastasis and the associated dependence on mortality of the dignity of the tumours. In this time period 26 patients has been observed in a follow-up visit. Patients with a malignant tumour were offered an examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The histological examination revealed for 24 patients a benign tumour and for 16 patients a malignant tumour. After an exact analysis of multiple parameters there was only a statistically significant difference in the preoperative visual acuity (p = 0.025) and in the tumour size (p = 0.011) between the two analysed groups of patients. The rate of serious postoperative complications was 11.4 %. One fourth of the patients complained of subjective problems after the surgical intervention. In the follow-up visit a visual acuity of 0.5 or better was achieved in 68 % of all interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A reliable diagnosis is only possible after histological examination. The analysed parameters can only give indications for the dignity of the tumour. The strategy of the ophthalmic department of the University Hospital of Jena to remove a tumour of uncertain dignity at an early state makes sense, because there are few postoperative complications, few patients complain about subjective problems and the chances for achieving good visual acuity are high.
authors: Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Jena.
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Kühn
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Petersen
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Strobel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D032801:Iridectomy; D015811:Iris Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult