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Interdisciplinary Surveillance of Ocular Melanomas: Experiences in a German Tertiary Centre
Joel M Mor1, Alexander C Rokohl1, Cornelia Mauch2
1Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Universität zu Köln, Medizinische Fakultät und Uniklinik Köln, Deutschland.
Background:
In contrast to cutaneous melanoma, there are no uniform guidelines regarding surveillance of ocular (uveal, conjunctival) melanomas. A consented standard operating procedure (SOP) by the "Netzwerk onkologische Spitzenzentren" Germany only exists for conjunctival melanoma but not for uveal melanoma. Surveillance is partially based on German S3-guidelines for cutaneous melanoma and is carried out by oncologic centres in a multidisciplinary approach. This study aims to evaluate patients' adherence to surveillance programs and whether surveillance recommendations (examinations, intervals) can be realised.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of all ocular melanoma patients overseen at the University Hospital of Cologne between 2008 and 2019. The study evaluates rates of successful patient integration into a standardized surveillance program and patients' surveillance adherence, subject to age, gender, primary therapy and tumour entity, respectively.
Results:
99 patients were included (56 female, 43 male), 83 of which had uveal melanomas and 16 conjunctival melanomas. Mean follow-up was 59 months. 81% of patients were integrated into a surveillance program. Surveillance was performed according to published recommendations in 78%. 13% of patients dropped out of the surveillance program after a mean period of 38 months.
Conclusions:
Our data show a growing number of patients in standardized surveillance. However, there are still gaps. There is a need for guidelines specifically designed for ocular melanomas, allowing centres to offer patients an individualized approach.
