Choroidal Melanoma: A Mini Review

Ultrasound-assisted laser therapy for selective removal of melanoma cells

The current study explores the potential of ultrasound-assisted laser therapy (USaLT) to selectively destroy melanoma cells. The technology was tested on an ex vivo melanoma model, which was established by growing melanoma cells in chicken breast tissue. Ultrasound-only and laser-only treatments were used as control groups. USaLT was able to effectively destroy melanoma cells and selectively remove 66.41% of melanoma cells in the ex vivo tumor model when an ultrasound peak negative pressure of 2 MPa was concurrently applied with a laser fluence of 28 mJ/cm2 at 532 nm optical wavelength for 5 min. The therapeutic efficiency was further improved with the use of a higher laser fluence, and the treatment depth was improved to 3.5 mm with the use of 1,064 nm laser light at a fluence of 150 mJ/cm2. None of the laser-only and ultrasound-only treatments were able to remove any melanoma cells. The treatment outcome was validated with histological analyses and photoacoustic imaging. This study opens the possibility of USaLT for melanoma that is currently treated by laser therapy, but at a much lower laser fluence level, hence improving the safety potential of laser therapy.

Pseudomelanoma diagnosis in a tertiary ophthalmologic centre in Spain

OBJECTIVE

To determine the types and frequency of lesions that can be misdiagnosed as choroidal or ciliary body melanomas (posterior uveal tract melanoma [PUM]).

METHODS

This is a retrospective, descriptive study examining data from patients referred to Hospital La Paz in Madrid with the diagnosis of possible PUM between January 2005 and March 2020. All patients referred for PUM were studied. In collaboration with an oncology-specialized ophthalmologic centre, each patient underwent a full ophthalmic examination, ultrasonography, and optical coherence tomography, with agreed clinical criteria used to differentiate melanomas from pseudomelanomas.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 715 patients, 48.9% had pseudomelanomas. Thirty-five different conditions were misdiagnosed as melanomas. The 5 most common conditions were choroidal nevus (40.5%), peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (12%), choroidal hemangioma (10.5%), choroidal metastasis (8%), and age-related macular degeneration (4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Altering the diagnosis and changing the treatment and prognosis for patients can be difficult for a referral centre. Herein we present the largest European cohort investigated and highlight the importance of identifying the correct diagnosis to prevent mistreatment and possible overtreatment. These misdiagnoses can have an emotional effect on patients and their families, which could be avoided with a correct diagnosis. We analyze the most common pseudomelanoma diagnoses to help physicians better diagnose patients in their care.