[Melanic proliferations of the conjunctiva. Histopathologic study of a series of 40 cases]

A retrospective study of 40 melanocytic conjunctival tumors (22 naevi and 18 malignant melanoma) is reported. Cases of non-degenerated conjunctival melanosis were not observed. The particular aspects of diagnosis and the prognostic behaviour of these proliferations are discussed and compared with their cutaneous homologues. Epithelial inclusions within tumor cell proliferation are considered as the best criterion of benignity. Because conjunctival melanomas are rather uncommon and technical difficulties in their study are very frequent (poor quality of tissue samples, small size of specimens) many reports are contradictory. Some diagnostic signs are specific for this kind of tumor in the conjunctiva: nevertheless, the particular conjunctival anatomy makes it impossible to classify according to criteria defined for cutaneous malignant melanoma. No criteria would have a predictive value. The severe prognosis of conjunctival melanoma (44% deaths in the present series over 10 years after diagnosis) has been underestimated. Most often carcinologic therapies have not been used in previously reported cases.