Uveal Melanoma: 5-Year Update on Incidence, Treatment, and Survival (SEER 1975-2020)

Since 2003, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, epidemiological aspects of uveal melanoma have been reported. The aim of this study was to update trends in incidence, treatment, and survival of uveal melanoma in the USA from 1975 to 2020.

Patients were identified using International Classification of Disease for Oncology codes: C69.3 [choroid], C69.4 [ciliary body and iris], and C69.2 [retina]. Trends in age-adjusted incidence, treatment (surgery or radiation), and 5-year relative survival were calculated.

A total of 5,563 cases of uveal melanoma were identified. The majority (97%) were reported by hospital inpatient/outpatient clinics. Microscopic (histopathologic or cytologic) confirmation was available in 61%. The mean age-adjusted incidence was 5.6 per million (95% CI: 5.5-5.7). As previously noted, a small but statistically significant (p < 0.05) annual percentage change of 0.5% was detected in whites. The previously reported declining trend in the number of patients treated with surgery alone (93% from 1975 to 1977 vs. 21% from 2017 to 2020) ensued, with ongoing corresponding increasing rates of radiation as the primary treatment (1% from 1975 to 1977 vs. 58% from 2017 to 2020). No change in the 5-year relative survival (82.8%) was observed (reported from 1975 to 2016).

Previously reported overall age-adjusted incidence of uveal melanoma is stable throughout the years, with a minor increase in incidence in whites. Treatment trend toward radiation has not led to improvement in survival.