Melanoma Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Melanoma, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment.

Iris ring melanoma: fine needle biopsy.

Char DH, Kemlitz AE, Miller T, Crawford JB

The Tumori Foundation, 45 Castro Street, Suite 309, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA. devron@tumori.org

AIMS: To delineate the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle biopsy in iris ring melanoma and determine the tumour related mortality of this neoplasm. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 22 patients with iris melanomas that involve the entire 360 degrees of the anterior chamber angle. RESULTS: Iris ring melanomas were correctly diagnosed in all cases. In 11 of 16 cases (69%) a fine needle biopsy performed 180 degrees away from the main mass was positive for an iris ring melanoma. The tumour related mortality in iris ring melanoma cases was four of 22 patients (18%). Actuarial survival analysis showed a 10 year mortality (Kaplan-Meier) of 15%. CONCLUSION: A fine needle aspiration biopsy can be used to diagnose an iris ring melanoma. Iris ring melanomas have significant mortality compared with focal tumours.

Published 20 March 2006 in Br J Ophthalmol, 90(4): 420-2.
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