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Updated: May 21, 2026
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Isolated Hepatic Perfusion as a Treatment for Liver Metastases of Uveal Melanoma
Published on: January 25, 2015
Delayed systemic recurrence of uveal melanoma
Nathalie A Kolandjian1, Caimiao Wei, Sapna P Patel
1Departments of *Melanoma Medical Oncology †Biostatistics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX.
American Journal of Clinical Oncology
|June 19, 2012
Summary
Delayed uveal melanoma recurrence after 10 years is associated with longer survival but does not guarantee a cure. Patients with metastatic uveal melanoma still face a poor prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Metastatic uveal melanoma recurrence beyond 10 years is understudied.
- This research examines the characteristics and outcomes of patients experiencing late recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize patients with delayed (≥10 years) systemic recurrence of uveal melanoma.
- To describe the natural history of uveal melanoma following late recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of uveal melanoma patients treated from 1994-2008.
- Analysis focused on patients with recurrence ≥10 years post-primary treatment.
Main Results:
- 61 out of 463 patients experienced recurrence ≥10 years after primary treatment.
- Delayed recurrence (≥10 years) correlated with significantly longer survival post-metastasis compared to earlier recurrences.
- Lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, age, M-stage, performance status, and sex independently predicted survival.
Conclusions:
- A longer interval to first systemic metastasis in uveal melanoma predicts prolonged survival.
- Survival beyond 10 years without metastasis does not imply cure.
- Prognosis for metastatic uveal melanoma remains poor overall.
