Conjunctival melanoma: A 20-year survey in a comprehensive medical center

To better understand population-specific tumor characteristics and behavior of conjunctival melanoma in Asian.

A retrospective cohort enrolled patients with primary conjunctival melanoma treated and followed up at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) in Taiwan between 1995 and 2015. Basic characteristics such as age, gender, tumor size, cell type, location, and TNM stage were recorded. Prognostic parameters included disease free interval, local recurrence, distant metastasis, and survival were analyzed.

There were 20 patients enrolled in the study hospital between 1995 and 2015. All were histological proved by pathologists. Their mean age at diagnosis was 57.8 ± 15.9 years. The mean follow-up time was 68.7 ± 55.8 months. Mean tumor thickness was 6.5 ± 5.9 mm. Six patients developed local recurrence. Twelve patients had distant metastasis. Ten patients died from conjunctival melanoma. The 10 patients had greater mean tumor thickness (8.4 ± 7.5 mm) and shorter mean survival time (40.2 ± 24.1 months). Tumor thickness was found as a prognostic factor for survival time (HR = 1.15, P = 0.01). Age, gender, T stage, and tumor location were not significantly associated with survival.

Different tumor characteristics were found in this cohort. Higher metastasis and mortality rate could suggest a more aggressive disease pattern. Tumor thickness was indicated as a prognostic factor for survival time and was greater in size in cases with distant metastasis. Early and more invasive intervention with closely follow-up may be indicated in these cases.