Pseudomelanomas after conservative management of uveal melanoma

This report describes the macroscopic and microscopic features of 'pseudomelanomas' encountered in 48 globes containing malignant melanomas, which were initially treated either by local resection (45), by Ru106 plaque (2) therapy or by photocoagulation (1) therapy. Pigmented masses which stimulated melanomas were formed by (i) organising haemorrhage, (ii) melanomacrophagic reactions to melanin released from necrotic tumours, (iii) reactionary proliferations in the retinal pigment epithelium. Fibroblastic reactions in response to photocoagulation or organising haemorrhage also produced pseudotumours.