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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 2, 2022
Iris melanoma arising from sector congenital ocular melanocytosis in a child
Jerry A Shields1, Carol L Shields, Richard Davidson
1Pathology Department, Wills Eye Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. jerry.shields@shieldsoncology.com
Purpose:
To report a clinicopathologic correlation of a melanoma arising from iris component of ocular melanocytosis in a child.
Methods:
A 13-year-old boy developed a progressive iris nodule arising from sector iris pigmentation that was a component of congenital ocular melanocytosis involving the iris, ciliary body and choroid. The tumor was examined clinically and with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), removed by peripheral iridocyclectomy, and studied histopathologically.
Results:
Clinically, the pigmented nodule was 3 mm in diameter, located within the sector iris pigmentation, and was 2.4 mm in thickness as measured by UBM. Histopathologically, it was composed predominately of spindle B melanoma cells with adjacent spindle and dendritic melanocytes compatible with iris melanocytosis.
Conclusion:
Although highly unusual, melanoma can arise in the sector iris pigmentation that is often a component of congenital ocular melanocytosis. Even young patients with ocular melanocytosis should be examined periodically for development of melanoma in the ciliary body and choroid.
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