Conjunctival melanoma. What has changed over 55 years?

Aim. To study the changes of conjunctival melanoma clinical characteristics over 55 years according to data of oncological department of Moscow ophthalmological clinical hospital. Methods. The change of conjunctival melanoma clinical characteristics over 55 years was studied. Two patient groups were compared. Group I included patients who were treated and observed in Moscow ophthalmological clinical hospital in 1956-1970, group II included patients who were treated and observed in Moscow ophthalmological clinical hospital in 1982-2013. Medical charts (i.e., case records, clinical histories, pathohistological reports, questionnaires of patients who received beta-applicator therapy etc.) were analyzed. Results. Over 55 years, the prevalence of conjunctival melanoma did not increase. In recent years, conjunctival melanoma has been diagnosed mainly in older patients, however, sex distribution has not changed. Nowadays, small size tumors dominated in primary patients while tumor pigmentation remain unchanged. Tumors localized at corneal limbus and bulbar conjunctiva, i.e. at palpebral fissure, as well as at lacrimal caruncle and plica semilunaris, were still the most frequent, which is associated with intensive insolation of these areas. Total 10-year survival rate in conjunctival melanoma patients was high (>80%) over the whole period. Conclusion. Small size tumors predominance indicates that conjunctival pigment tumors diagnostics improved over recent decade due to ophthalmic equipment development, oncological suspicion increase and the possibility to refer patients to specialized ophthalmic oncological centers.

conjunctival melanoma, stage, survival rate, prevalence