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Updated: Apr 10, 2026
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Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 2, 2022
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CAVERNOUS HEMANGIOMALIKE CHANGES IN A CHOROIDAL MELANOMA AFTER BRACHYTHERAPY
Michael Lopez1, Jean G Johnson, Curtis E Margo
1*Department of Ophthalmology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; †Department of Pathology, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Florida; and ‡Section of Ophthalmology, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Florida.
Retinal Cases & Brief Reports
|June 13, 2015
Summary
Degenerative vascular changes in treated choroidal melanoma can mimic tumor regrowth. This case highlights how vascular changes, not cancer, can cause enlargement years after treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Choroidal melanoma is a rare intraocular tumor.
- Treatment of choroidal melanoma aims for tumor control and vision preservation.
- Late treatment failure can be challenging to distinguish from other ocular changes.
Observation:
- A 79-year-old male presented with a growing choroidal melanoma 15 years post-iodine-125 brachytherapy.
- The tumor showed significant size increase, raising concerns for recurrence or treatment failure.
- Histological examination revealed degenerative vascular changes, not active tumor proliferation.
Findings:
- The tumor lacked mitotic activity and Ki-67 expression, indicating quiescence.
- Approximately 50% of the lesion comprised cavernous, blood-filled spaces.
- These spaces were lined by CD34+ and CD31+ endothelial cells, consistent with vascular origin.
Implications:
- Degenerative vascular alterations in treated uveal melanoma can mimic tumor enlargement.
- Such changes necessitate careful histopathological evaluation to differentiate from true neoplastic progression.
- Understanding these vascular changes is crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient management after melanoma treatment.
