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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
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Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 2, 2022
Secondary orbital melanomas: analysis of 15 cases
S Liarikos1, A D Rapidis, A Roumeliotis
1Department of Ophthalmology, Greek Anticancer Institute, 171 Alexandras Avenue, Athens 115 22, Greece.
Summary
Secondary orbital melanomas, often from uveal melanomas, are challenging to diagnose and treat. Surgical exenteration offers local control but doesn't significantly improve overall survival for these rare eye cancers.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Orbital melanomas are pigmented tumors originating from ocular melanocytes or distant metastases.
- Primary orbital melanomas are rare; secondary orbital melanomas, often from uveal melanomas, are more common.
- Diagnosis and treatment of orbital melanomas remain challenging with controversial prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the biological behavior of orbital melanomas.
- To analyze treatment outcomes for patients with secondary orbital melanomas.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 15 patients with secondary orbital melanomas treated surgically over eight years.
- Analysis of patient records including demographics, presenting features, origin site, and treatment modalities.
- Evaluation of survival rates and disease progression post-treatment.
Main Results:
- The study included 15 patients (11 female, 4 male; mean age 68 years) with secondary orbital melanomas.
- Common presenting features included orbital mass, proptosis, conjunctival bleeding, glaucoma, decreased visual acuity, and diplopia.
- Most frequent origins were uveal tract (9), conjunctiva (3), and eyelids (2).
- All patients underwent orbital exenteration; some received adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy.
- Two patients died from intracranial extension, 10 from distant metastases; three are alive with no evidence of disease.
- Mean survival was 16.6 months, with a longest survival of 33 months.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis and management of ocular melanoma are crucial to prevent orbital extension and improve survival.
- Surgical treatment (orbital exenteration) with or without adjuvant therapies does not appear to significantly improve overall patient survival compared to conservative approaches.
- Orbital exenteration is effective for local disease control in secondary orbital melanomas.
