Ciliary body melanoma: a special challenge

Although there is little doubt that the delayed recognition of ciliary body melanoma has a bearing on patient management and ultimate survival, the most compelling issues that face the clinician treating this neoplasm relate to the metastatic patterns and mechanisms of the disease. Several aspects of diagnosis and management of this tumour provide a unique challenge to the clinician. Ciliary body melanoma can remain clinically inapparent to the patient as well as to the clinician during its formative period. In management, tumour characteristics, including anterior and posterior margins, are more readily visualized with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) than with other imaging techniques. UBM can provide valuable information when considering intervention, including biopsy, resection or plaque radiotherapy. Management depends on tumour size, intraocular involvement, patient preference and the presence or absence of systemic manifestations.