Second Primary Neoplasms in Patients With Uveal Melanoma: A SEER Database Analysis

Analysis of Uveal Melanoma 5-Year Survival Rates by Medicaid Status: A Nationwide Analysis

PURPOSE

The survival outcomes of patients with primary uveal melanomas based on Medicaid status have not been previously discussed in the literature.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicaid database were utilized to identify patients with primary uveal melanomas diagnosed between 2006 and 2013. The Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to construct 5-year survival curves in adult, non-elderly patients. Log-rank testing was used to determine differences in survival rates, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling was utilized to perform adjusted survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1,765 patients were included (Medicaid: 81, non-Medicaid: 1684). A total of 1683 (95.4%) were White. The average age was 51.75 years (SD = 9.5 years). Medicaid patients were more likely to be unmarried, live in a high poverty neighborhood, and live in a rural area (all p < .001). We observed no significant difference in 5-year survival rates between those enrolled in Medicaid (86.6%, 95% CI: 79.1%1-94.7%) and those not enrolled in Medicaid (85.5, 95% CI: 83.8%-87.2%) (p = .80). After controlling for socioeconomic and clinical factors, Medicaid enrollment was not associated with an increased risk of mortality compared to non-Medicaid enrollment. Age (aHR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06, p < .001) and tumor size >10 mm (aHR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.49-6.21, p = .002) were associated with an increased risk of mortality.

CONCLUSION

Medicaid enrollment was not associated with worse cancer-specific 5-year survival. Further research needs to be elicited to better understand the role of Medicaid enrollment in patients with primary uveal melanoma.

Multiple neoplasms in patients with uveal melanoma: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Uveal melanoma is the most prevalent intraocular malignancy in adults, derived from uveal tract melanocytes. This study focuses on the frequency and risk of second primary malignancies in UM patients.

METHODS

A PubMed search (1980-2023) identified studies on SPM incidence in UM patients. From 191 references, 14 studies were chosen, focusing on UM, SPMs, and analysing data on demographics and types of neoplasms.

RESULTS

Among 31,235 UM patients in 14 studies, 4695 had 4730 SPMs (15.03% prevalence). Prostate (15%), breast (12%), and colorectal (9%) cancers were most common. Digestive system malignancies were highest (19%), with colorectal cancer leading (51%). Breast and prostate cancers were prevalent in respective systems. Lung, bladder, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were also notable. The study observed an increasing trend in the frequency of SPMs over time, reflecting broader trends in cancer survivorship and the growing prevalence of multiple malignancies.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights a significant presence of SPMs in UM patients, with an increasing trend in frequency over time, emphasizing prostate and breast cancers. This underscores the need for focused surveillance and tailored follow-up for UM survivors, considering their higher risk of additional malignancies. Future research should further investigate SPM aetiology in UM patients.

Characterizations of uveal melanoma patients with three additional primary malignancies

PURPOSE

In a population-based cohort of 960 uveal melanoma (UM) patients, we describe patients with three additional malignancies, including one unique patient with four synchronous primary malignancies.

METHOD

A descriptive presentation of the clinical course and outcome for UM patients with three additional primary malignancies.

RESULTS

After more than 20 years of follow-up of the UM cohort, 11 patients (1.1%) were diagnosed with three additional primary malignancies before, simultaneously or after UM. Among these, one patient had four synchronous primary malignancies, detected during workup for a symptomatic UM. All diagnoses were treated during the following 4 months, firstly the breast cancer, thereafter, the lung and pancreatic cancers and finally the UM. The patient died 3 years later of abdominal carcinomatosis due to the pancreatic cancer. The family history and gene testing did not disclose any genetic predisposition for cancer. A comparison of the four synchronous tumours, morphologically and immunohistochemically, showed no similarities and the expression of antibodies was different.

CONCLUSION

Patients with UM may be diagnosed with non-ocular additional primary cancers. Thus, a comprehensive workup is obligatory and a further follow-up of the UM patients seems necessary. The UM is not always the main problem.

Tebentafusp as a Promising Drug for the Treatment of Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults and commonly occurs in the Caucasian population. The malignancy involves the uvea of the eye, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. The etiology of UM is still not well understood, but age is a risk factor. Symptoms include blurred vision, redness of the eye, floaters, dark spots, a change in the size of the pupil, and loss of vision. The location, shape, and size of the tumor are important for therapeutic purposes. Treating metastasis is always a challenge in UM cases. In cases of lung metastasis, the survival rate decreases. Treatment includes surgery, laser therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Recently, in 2022, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug tebentafusp. Tebentafusp was developed to target the most common HLA complex in humans. The present review discusses the indications for the use of a new drug tebentafusp, its mechanism of action, dose, pharmacokinetics, results of clinical trials conducted, and adverse effects like cytokine release syndrome. Hence, tebentafusp is the first T cell receptor (TCR) therapeutic drug that could be considered for the treatment of UM.

Additional primary malignancies in a Polish cohort of uveal melanoma patients: a review of 644 patients with long-term follow-up

AIM

To investigate the frequency and location of additional primary malignancies in a Polish cohort of uveal melanoma (UM) patients registered in a single centre database.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Retrospective data analysis of patients treated for uveal melanoma at the Department of Ophthalmology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland between 1991 and 2017. Data on the diagnosis of the additional malignancies were obtained during the follow-up visits in our Department and/or from the Greater Poland Cancer Registry. The exclusion criteria comprised no confirmed follow-up or incomplete clinical entry data.

RESULTS

Among 644 UM patients registered in the database up to 2017, the additional malignancy was diagnosed in 126 (20%) patients: 71 men, 55 women at the median age of 67 years (range: 34-94). In 48 patients (38%), the additional malignancy occurred prior to the diagnosis of UM, in 73 (58%) patients - after it. The most common locations of second cancer were skin (20 cases / 15%), breast (17 cases / 13%) and lungs (15 cases / 12%). The median follow-up was 36 months (range: 3-242). 87 patients (69%) died by the study close, 32 (37%) of them due to metastatic disease from uveal melanoma, 41 (47%) due to another cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of additional primary malignancies was higher in our cohort than reported by most of other groups. If there is a certain predisposition to a specific type of additional primary carcinoma in UM patients, the analysis of larger database is required.

Comprehensive causes of death in uveal melanoma: mortality in 1530 consecutively diagnosed patients followed until death

BACKGROUND

Uveal melanoma has a high propensity for metastatic spread. Yet, the comprehensive causes of death in a large consecutive cohort followed from diagnosis to death remain unknown.

METHODS

All Swedish patients diagnosed with melanoma involving the iris, choroid, and/or ciliary body after January 1, 1960, were assessed for this study. Sequential inclusion was halted upon encountering the first surviving patient during data collection. Causes of death were collected from the National Cause of Death Registry and audited by analysis of up to 15 causative diagnoses.

RESULTS

A total of 1530 patients were included, each histopathologically verified with primary uveal melanoma. Mortality from metastatic uveal melanoma was 31% at 5 years, 40% at 10 years, 45% at 20 years, 47% at 30 years, and 48% between 40 and 60 years post-diagnosis. Notably, the longest period between diagnosis and metastatic fatality was 49.6 years. Additionally, 186 other causes of death were recorded, with cardiovascular diseases constituting 26%, other cancers 10%, stroke 6%, dementias 2%, and lower respiratory infections 2% of total mortalities. Mortality from colorectal, lung, prostate, and stomach carcinomas over 60 years were 1.4%, 1.4%, 1.2%, and 0.9%, with metastatic uveal melanoma being the leading cumulative and annual cause of death for the initial 41 and 5 years post-diagnosis, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large consecutive cohort, half of the included patients ultimately succumbed to metastatic uveal melanoma, with deaths occurring up to 50 years after diagnosis. One-quarter and one-tenth of patients died from cardiovascular diseases and other cancers, respectively.

New Treatment Horizons in Uveal and Cutaneous Melanoma

Melanoma is a complex and heterogeneous malignant tumor with distinct genetic characteristics and therapeutic challenges in both cutaneous melanoma (CM) and uveal melanoma (UM). This review explores the underlying molecular features and genetic alterations in these melanoma subtypes, highlighting the importance of employing specific model systems tailored to their unique profiles for the development of targeted therapies. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in unraveling the molecular and genetic characteristics of CM and UM, leading to notable advancements in treatment options. Genetic mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway drive CM, while UM is characterized by mutations in genes like GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, EIF1AX, and SF3B1. Chromosomal aberrations, including monosomy 3 in UM and monosomy 10 in CM, play significant roles in tumorigenesis. Immune cell infiltration differs between CM and UM, impacting prognosis. Therapeutic advancements targeting these genetic alterations, including oncolytic viruses and immunotherapies, have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies. Oncolytic viruses selectively infect malignant cells, inducing oncolysis and activating antitumor immune responses. Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is an FDA-approved oncolytic virus for CM treatment, and other oncolytic viruses, such as coxsackieviruses and HF-10, are being investigated. Furthermore, combining oncolytic viruses with immunotherapies, such as CAR-T cell therapy, holds great potential. Understanding the intrinsic molecular features of melanoma and their role in shaping novel therapeutic approaches provides insights into targeted interventions and paves the way for more effective treatments for CM and UM.

Additional malignancies and mortality in uveal melanoma: A 20-year follow-up of a Norwegian patient cohort

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to explore the frequency of additional primary malignancies in uveal melanoma (UM) patients and cause-specific mortality, to help guide surveillance strategies after UM.

METHODS

All patients diagnosed with UM at Oslo University Hospital during 1990-2017 were eligible for inclusion. Linkage to the Cancer Registry of Norway obtained information on additional malignancies and cause of death throughout 2019. UM patients were categorized according to timing of additional malignancy (prior/simultaneously or after UM) or no additional cancer, and by UM stage at diagnosis. Age-adjusted mortality rates were presented per 1000 person-years with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

The study population included 960 UM patients: 77% were diagnosed in stage and I/II and 56% were men. Mean age at diagnosis was 63 years. Additional malignancies were observed in 152 patients prior/simultaneous to UM, and in 120 patients >1 year after UM. Overall, mortality per 1000 person-years was 3.5 (95% CI 3.1-3.9) for UM and 3.0 (2.6-3.4) for other causes. Lowest UM mortality [1.3 (0.60-2.1)] was seen in patients with a second malignancy after UM, regardless of stage. Highest UM mortality was seen for UM patients in stage III/IV, both without [16.1 (13.2-19.1)] and with any additional malignancy [16.9 (6.6-27.3)].

CONCLUSION

Our results support that UM patients frequently have additional malignancies, both before and after UM. Low-UM mortality in patients with a primary malignancy after UM, might indicate less aggressive UM. The cumulative UM mortality flattens about 10 years after diagnosis and annual follow-up of patients for 10 years seems adequate.

Second Primary Malignancies following a Diagnosis of Conjunctival Melanoma

BACKGROUND

Although incidence of second primary malignancies (SPMs) has been investigated in patients with cutaneous melanoma and uveal melanoma, limited studies have investigated their occurrence subsequent to conjunctival melanoma (CM). We conducted a retrospective observational study to assess incidence of SPMs in patients with primary CM and to identify associated risk factors.

METHODS

Cases of first primary CM diagnosed from 2000 to 2018 were extracted from the national cancer database Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and excess absolute risk (EAR) of SPMs were calculated compared to a matched cohort from the general population with similar sex, race, age group, and calendar year. EAR was per 10,000 individuals, and a P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 471 patients met inclusion criteria, 57 (12.1%) of whom developed second primary malignancies (excluding eye and orbit melanomas) over an average (±SD) follow-up period of 6.8 (±5.0) years. Average age at diagnosis for the overall cohort was 60.2 (±18.6) years. Patients with CM demonstrated a significantly increased risk for overall SPMs relative to the general population, even after excluding eye and orbit melanomas (SIR 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.97; EAR 67.58). Specific sites and malignancy types with increased risk were cutaneous melanoma (SIR 7.95; 95% CI, 4.45-13.12; EAR 45.34), ophthalmic non-melanoma malignancies (SIR 80.92; 95% CI, 2.05-450.84; EAR 3.41), and non-intrahepatic biliary malignancies (SIR 11.72; 95% CI, 1.42-42.32; EAR 6.32). Risk of overall SPMs (excluding eye and orbit melanomas) was significantly increased 5-10 years from diagnosis date.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CM had an increased incidence of SPMs compared to the general population. Specifically, these patients developed more cutaneous, ophthalmic non-melanoma, and non-intrahepatic biliary malignancies. These second neoplasms could be due to shared pathophysiology or mutual risk factors. Patients with CM may benefit from surveillance for SPMs, such as annual age-appropriate screenings in the first 10 years after diagnosis.

Second Primary Malignancies in Patients With Melanoma Subtypes: Analysis of 120,299 Patients From the SEER Database (2000-2016)

Purpose

Evaluate incidence of second primary malignancies (SPM) after non-acral cutaneous melanoma (NACM), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), mucosal melanoma (MM), and uveal melanoma (UM).

Patients and Methods

First primary NACM, ALM, MM, and UM cases diagnosed 2000-2016 were extracted from SEER. Seer*Stat was used to calculate excess absolute risks (EAR) and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of SPMs relative to a matched cohort from the general population. P-value of 0.05 determined significance.

Results

Inclusion criteria was met by 109,385 patients with NACM, 2166 with ALM, 2498 with MM, and 6250 with UM. Increased incidence of malignancies occurred after NACM (SIR 1.51; 95%CI, 1.49-1.54), ALM (SIR 1.59; 95%CI, 1.40-1.81), MM (SIR 2.14; 95%CI, 1.85-2.45), and UM (SIR 1.24; 95%CI, 1.14-1.34) relative to the general population. Cutaneous melanoma occurred more frequently after NACM (SIR 9.54; 95%CI, 9.27-9.83), ALM (SIR 12.19; 95%CI, 9.70-15.14), MM (SIR 10.05; 95%CI, 7.18-13.68), and UM (SIR 2.91; 95%CI, 2.27-3.66). Patients with initial NACM (SIR 2.44; 95%CI, 1.64-3.51) and UM (SIR 44.34; 95%CI, 29.91-63.29) demonstrated increased incidence of eye and orbit melanoma. Renal malignancies occurred more frequently after NACM (SIR 1.24; 95%CI, 1.11-1.38), MM (SIR 3.54; 95%CI, 1.62-6.72) and UM (SIR 1.68; 95%CI, 1.09-2.48). Increased incidence of thyroid malignancies was observed after NACM (SIR 1.83; 95%CI, 1.61-2.06), ALM (SIR 3.74; 95%CI, 1.71-7.11), MM (SIR 4.40; 95%CI, 1.77-9.06), and UM (SIR 3.79; 95%CI, 2.52-5.47). Increased incidence of lymphoma was observed after NACM (SIR 1.20; 95%CI, 1.09-1.31) and ALM (SIR 2.06; 95%CI, 1.13-3.46).

Conclusion

Patients with NACM, ALM, MM, and UM have increased incidence of SPMs compared to that expected from the general population. Each of these melanoma subtypes had increased occurrence of cutaneous melanoma and thyroid cancer; some, but not all, had increased occurrence of renal malignancies, eye and orbit melanoma, and lymphoma.

Risk of New Primary Cancer in Patients with Posterior Uveal Melanoma: A National Cohort Study

Simple Summary

Prior studies on the risk of new primary cancer among patients with posterior uveal melanoma have produced conflicting results, and the role of other risk factors relevant to cancer formation, such as socioeconomic status, has not been investigated. The focus on the genetic susceptibility of cancer among patients with uveal melanoma has increased with the recognition of BRCA1-Associated Protein 1 (BAP1) tumor predisposition syndrome presenting with an increased incidence of uveal melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, mesothelioma, and cutaneous melanoma in the affected family members. Our study evaluates the risk of new primary cancer in a validated almost complete national cohort of clinically and histopathologically well described posterior uveal melanomas from 1968 through 2016. Our study showed a 21% increased incidence of new primary cancer following the diagnosis of posterior uveal melanoma. The risk was independent of socioeconomic factors and was not restricted to specific cancer types.

Abstract

Background: Studies on the risk of new primary cancer in patients with posterior uveal melanoma (UM) have produced conflicting results, and the role of socioeconomic status (SES) is unknown. The purpose of this population-based matched cohort study was to determine the risk of new primary cancer following the diagnosis of posterior UM. Methods: 2179 patients with posterior UM 1968–2016 and 22,717 matched controls without cancer were included. Incidence and time-dependent hazard ratio (HR) of new primary cancer were described, and the effect of SES was emphasized in a sub-cohort. Results: The incidence of new primary cancer was increased in patients with posterior UM, rate ratio (RR) 1.21 (95% CI: 1.08; 1.35), but the specific cancer types did not differ compared to the controls. The rate of new primary cancer following the diagnosis of posterior UM was significantly increased 2–5 years (HR 1.49 (95% CI: 1.23; 1.80)) and 11–15 years (HR: 1.49 (95% CI: 1.12; 1.99)), and adjusting for SES did not change the rate (HR 1.35 (95% CI:1.20; 1.55)). Conclusions: Patients with posterior UM have an increased risk of new primary cancer independent of SES. No difference in incidence of specific cancer type was observed compared to the control group.

Coexisting and Second Primary Cancers in Patients with Uveal Melanoma: A 10-Year Nationwide Database Analysis

Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular tumor in adults. Metastatic disease occurs in about 30% of patients, for which there is currently no effective treatment. More than half of patients are long-term survivors, and it is well established that cancer survivors are prone to developing second primary cancers. In this study, we analyzed 10 years’ worth of data from the nationwide database to determine the rates of coexisting malignancies and second primary cancers associated with uveal melanoma. The mean annual incidence of uveal melanoma was 1.1 per million. Approximately 43% of patients had coexisting cancers. The most common coexisting cancer was lung cancer (10%) followed by liver cancer (6%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (6%). In patients whose first cancer in their lifetime was uveal melanoma, the 10-year cumulative incidence of second primary cancers was 22% (95% confidence interval, 9–31%). The age- and sex-adjusted standard incidence rates was 3.61 (95% confidence interval, 2.61–4.86). The most common second primary cancers were lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, followed by prostate, thyroid, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. Age was the only factor associated with second primary cancer development. Our findings will be helpful in providing counseling for cancer screening in uveal melanoma patients.

Second primary malignancies after ocular adnexal lymphoma diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Although studies have investigated the risk of second primary malignancies (SPMs) associated with lymphoma of various sites, limited studies have investigated this risk in patients with lymphoma originating within the ocular adnexa. We conducted a retrospective study to assess incidence of secondary malignancies in patients with a prior diagnosis of ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) and to determine latency periods and age-groups at increased risk for SPM occurrence.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed on data obtained from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 9 database. Patients with an initial primary malignancy diagnosis of OAL between 1973 and 2015 were included in the study. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and excess absolute risks (EAR) compared to a SEER reference population with similar sex, race, age, and calendar year were computed for SPMs. Excess absolute risk is per 10,000 individuals; alpha of 0.05 was used.

RESULTS

Of 1834 patients with primary ocular adnexal lymphoma, 279 developed a secondary malignancy during average follow-up of 110.03 months (+/- 88.46), denoting higher incidence than expected (SIR 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.35; EAR 30.56). Amongst the primary lymphoma cohort, 98.7% (1810/1834) of patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and amongst those that developed secondary malignancies, 99.6% (278/279) had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients exhibited increased incidence of lymphohematopoietic and non-lymphohematopoietic second malignancies and no secondary malignancies of the eye or orbit. Patients had increased incidence of secondary malignancies in the first year (SIR 2.07; 95% CI, 1.49 to 2.79; EAR 150.37) and 1-5 years following lymphoma diagnosis (SIR 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.51; EAR 34.89). Patients with various OAL subtypes demonstrated differing patterns of site-specific and overall SPM risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with prior diagnosis of ocular adnexal lymphoma possess increased risk of hematologic and non-hematologic secondary malignancies. Risk of secondary malignancy could vary by lymphoma subtype. Patients with ocular adnexal lymphoma may benefit from regular surveillance to promote early detection of second primary malignancies.

Survival outcomes in prostate cancer patients with a prior cancer

Background

To shed light on the survival outcomes of prostate cancer (PCa) patients diagnosed after a prior cancer and identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in PCa patients.

Methods

In the primary group, a total of 1,778 PCa patients with a prior cancer were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2005 to 2015, retrospectively. Baseline characteristics and causes of death (COD) of these patients were collected and compared. In the second group, a total of 10,296 PCa patients [5,148 patients with PCa as the only malignancy and 5,148 patients with PCa as their second primary malignancy (SPM)] diagnosed between 2010 and 2011 were extracted to investigate the impact of prior cancers on survival outcomes.

Results

In PCa patients with a prior cancer, the most common type of prior cancer was from gastrointestinal system (29.92%), followed by urinary system (21.37%). Patients were more likely to die of the prior caner, and those with prior cancer from respiratory system had the worst survival outcomes. Moreover, the overall ratios in patients with stage (PCa) I–II and III–IV diseases were 0.21 and 1.65, indicating that patients with higher stage diseases were more likely to die of PCa. In the second group, patients with PCa as the SPM had worse OS than those with PCa as the first primary cancer. Lastly, prognostic factors for OS and CSS in PCa patients were explored.

Conclusions

PCa remains to be an important COD for patients with a prior malignancy, especially for those with high-stage diseases. PCa patients with a prior cancer had worse survival outcomes than those without.

Prognostic factors for postoperative survival in melanoma patients with bone metastasis

Melanoma can spread to the bone by metastasis and is relevant to a poor outcome. However, because of the rarity of melanoma patients with bone metastasis, the prognostic postoperative survival factors of them have not been elucidated. The aim of this special population-based cohort was to elucidate the prognostic factors associated with postoperative survival. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to extract postoperative survival data relating to patients with melanoma and bone metastasis at diagnosis between 2010 and 2016, along with data on a range of potential postoperative prognostic factors. We then investigated the potential postoperative prognostic roles of these factors using a Cox regression model and the Kaplan-Meier analysis. In all, the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database included 186 cases. Regarding overall survival, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates for the entire cohort were 36.2%, 15.4%, and 9.5%, respectively. Regarding cancer-specific survival, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were 42.0%, 23.2%, and 16.6%, respectively. Within a cohort of melanoma patients with bone metastasis after surgery, our analysis showed that a smaller tumor size and the lack of metastases at other sites were predictors of survival.

Molecular characteristics of uveal melanoma and intraocular tumors

Malignant melanomas within the eye present different types of metabolic and metastatic behavior. Uveal melanoma (UM) affects a quarter of a million individuals in the USA; however, the molecular pathogenesis is not well understood. Although UV radiation is a risk factor in cutaneous melanomas, it is not crucial for UM progression. Apart from chromosomal abnormalities, numerous major tumorigenic signaling pathways, including the PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, Ras-association domain family 1 isoform A and Yes-associated protein/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif signaling pathways, are associated with intraocular tumors. The present review describes the current insights regarding these signaling pathways that regulate the cell cycle and apoptosis, and could be used as potential targets for the treatment of UMs.

Molecular Insights and Emerging Strategies for Treatment of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular cancer. In recent decades, major advances have been achieved in the diagnosis and prognosis of UM allowing for tailored treatments. However, nearly 50% of patients still develop metastatic disease with survival rates of less than 1 year. There is currently no standard of adjuvant and metastatic treatment in UM, and available therapies are ineffective resulting from cutaneous melanoma protocols. Advances and novel treatment options including liver-directed therapies, immunotherapy, and targeted-therapy have been investigated in UM-dedicated clinical trials on single compounds or combinational therapies, with promising results. Therapies aimed at prolonging or targeting metastatic tumor dormancy provided encouraging results in other cancers, and need to be explored in UM. In this review, the latest progress in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of UM in adjuvant and metastatic settings are discussed. In addition, novel insights into tumor genetics, biology and immunology, and the mechanisms underlying metastatic dormancy are discussed. As evident from the numerous studies discussed in this review, the increasing knowledge of this disease and the promising results from testing of novel individualized therapies could offer future perspectives for translating in clinical use.

Second primary malignancies of eye and ocular adnexa after a first primary elsewhere in the body

Purpose

The eye and its adnexal structures can give rise to first or consecutive primary malignancies or to encounter metastasis. Our aim was to define the characteristics of the second primary neoplasms affecting the eye and its adnexa and find the risk modifying factors for them after malignancies elsewhere in the body.

Methods

We have queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results “SEER”-9 program of the National Cancer Institute for the malignancies of the eye and its adnexa that occurred between 1973 and 2015. The malignancies were ordered chronologically according to their incidence: first or second primary malignancies. The tumors were classified according to ICD-O-3 classification. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and survival probabilities were calculated for subgroups.

Results

Among 3,578,950 cancer patients, 1203 experienced a second malignancies of the eye and its adnexa. The first malignancy was diagnosed between 50 and 69 years of age in 58.94% of them. The eyelid showed 280 events, while 50 in lacrimal gland, 181 in the orbit, 21 in the overlapping lesions, 15 in optic nerve, 148 in the conjunctiva, 9 in the cornea, 6 in the Retina, 379 in the choroid, and 93 in the ciliary body. The SIR of a second malignancy after a prior non-Hodgkin lymphoma was 2.42, and in case of previous skin carcinomas it was 3.02, melanoma of skin, and 2.13 and 1.58 in oral cavity/pharynx malignancies. The second ocular and adnexal neoplasms increased steadily over the 5-year periods on contrary to first primary neoplasms. The survival of patients affected with first ocular and adnexal neoplasms was significantly higher than those with second ocular and adnexal neoplasms. On the other side, second primary ocular and adnexal tumors showed a better survival than second primary malignancies elsewhere.

Conclusions

The epidemiological differences between first and second ocular and adnexal primaries suggest different underlying mechanisms. Careful ocular examination should be integrated in the long-term follow-up plan of cancer patients. Special attention should be given to patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and melanoma as first primary.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00417-020-04896-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Malignant Mesothelioma in Individuals With Nonmesothelial Neoplasms

CONTEXT

- Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a component of the BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome. Other than in BAP1 familial studies, nonmesothelial neoplasms in individuals with MM has not been comprehensively assessed.

OBJECTIVE

- To assess the spectrum and prevalence of nonmesothelial neoplasms in individuals with MM.

DESIGN

- Individuals with MM and second neoplasms were identified from a database of 3900 MM cases. The expected prevalence of each type of neoplasm was calculated and compared with the actual prevalence in the study population using available Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data and other published data.

RESULTS

- Two hundred seventy nonmesothelial neoplasms were identified in 241 individuals (6% of the study population) with MM. Prostate adenocarcinoma was most common. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, lung carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, breast carcinoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, papillary renal cell carcinoma, multiple myeloma/plasmacytoma, meningioma, pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma, chronic myelogenous leukemia, ocular melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, liposarcoma, and Wilms tumor all were more prevalent than expected.

CONCLUSIONS

- Nonmesothelial neoplasms are uncommon in individuals with MM, but certain tumor types are increased in prevalence. In an unselected study population with respect to BAP1 status, the prevalence of several tumor types described in BAP1 mutation carriers, including lung carcinoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, breast carcinoma, meningioma, pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma, and ocular melanoma, was increased.

Liver Imaging Techniques: Recognition of Uveal Melanoma Metastases

Background

The liver is the most common site for metastases of several primary malignancies including uveal melanoma.

Methods

Review of imaging characteristics of incidental common benign liver lesions including hepatic cyst, hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, and hepatic adenoma and contrasting them with uveal melanoma metastases.

Results

Benign hepatic lesions may be cystic or, if solid, relatively stable in size over time. For hepatic lesions larger than 10 mm in size, characteristic imaging features typically allow for confident diagnosis. When lesions are small (less than 10 mm), definitive characterization can be difficult. Moreover, lesions smaller than 10 mm can be difficult to biopsy under ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) guidance, and short-term follow-up will often be useful to assess for stability or progression. Overall, magnetic resonance imaging is more specific than CT scan and at least as sensitive as CT for detecting uveal melanoma liver metastases.

Conclusions

New multiple enhancing solid liver lesions should raise suspicion of uveal melanoma liver metastases. Discussion of challenging cases with the radiologist may be beneficial, as pertinent information such as size, location, and molecular prognostication status of the primary tumor can guide radiological interpretation of hepatic lesions.

Uveal melanoma: epidemiology, etiology, and treatment of primary disease

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular malignancy and arises from melanocytes in the iris, ciliary body, or choroid. Early diagnosis and local treatment is crucial, as survival correlates with primary tumor size. However, approximately 50% of patients will develop metastatic disease with 6-12 months' survival from metastatic diagnosis. Genomic analyses have led to the development of gene-expression profiles that effectively predict metastatic progression; unfortunately, no adjuvant therapy has been shown to prolong survival to date. New insights into the molecular biology of UM have found frequent activating mutations in genes encoding for the G-protein α-subunit, GNAQ and GNA11, and improved understanding of the downstream signaling pathways MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and Hippo have afforded an array of new targets for treatment of this disease. Studies are under way with rationally developed regimens targeting these pathways, and novel agents are under development. We review the diagnosis, management, and surveillance of primary UM and the adjuvant therapy trials under way.