[Changes in the invasion front of uveal melanomas]

Central and peripheral cells of 12 uveal melanomas were compared by electron microscopy to determine whether infiltrating melanoma cells have special characteristics (e.g., loss of cell adherence, changes in the cytoskeleton, increase of cell organelles). No significant differences were found. The two theories of tumor invasion ("mechanical" and "locomotive" theory) and the light microscopical findings that occur in the invasion zone of uveal melanomas are discussed.