Biomaterial Database

Late diagnosis of choroidal malignant melanomas in eyes with clear media and low visual acuity. 1979

D M Albert, and Z N Zakov, and T R Smith

Five patients seen in a one-year period with advanced malignant melanoma of the choroid in eyes with low visual acuity and clear media are reported. The low visual acuity appeared clinically to be antecedent to the malignant tumor; although in certain cases it may have been related to the occult melanoma, this was not appreciated clinically. Because of the low visual acuity, these patients did not have vision symptoms referable to the melanoma, and the malignancy was diagnosed late in its course. All five cases had extrascleral extension of the tumor at the time of surgical treatment; three are dead of metastatic disease, and two have undergone orbital exenteration with only brief follow-up periods. This experience suggests that eyes with clear media and low vision owing to presumably unrelated causes should undergo periodic examination to rule out the presence of a growing malignant melanoma and to prevent its late diagnosis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008113	Liver Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the LIVER.	Cancer of Liver,Hepatic Cancer,Liver Cancer,Cancer of the Liver,Cancer, Hepatocellular,Hepatic Neoplasms,Hepatocellular Cancer,Neoplasms, Hepatic,Neoplasms, Liver,Cancer, Hepatic,Cancer, Liver,Cancers, Hepatic,Cancers, Hepatocellular,Cancers, Liver,Hepatic Cancers,Hepatic Neoplasm,Hepatocellular Cancers,Liver Cancers,Liver Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Hepatic,Neoplasm, Liver
D008297	Male		Males
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009362	Neoplasm Metastasis	The transfer of a neoplasm from one organ or part of the body to another remote from the primary site.	Metastase,Metastasis,Metastases, Neoplasm,Metastasis, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Metastases,Metastases
D009900	Optic Nerve	The 2nd cranial nerve which conveys visual information from the RETINA to the brain. The nerve carries the axons of the RETINAL GANGLION CELLS which sort at the OPTIC CHIASM and continue via the OPTIC TRACTS to the brain. The largest projection is to the lateral geniculate nuclei; other targets include the SUPERIOR COLLICULI and the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI. Though known as the second cranial nerve, it is considered part of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cranial Nerve II,Second Cranial Nerve,Nervus Opticus,Cranial Nerve, Second,Cranial Nerves, Second,Nerve, Optic,Nerve, Second Cranial,Nerves, Optic,Nerves, Second Cranial,Optic Nerves,Second Cranial Nerves
D002830	Choroid Neoplasms	Tumors of the choroid; most common intraocular tumors are malignant melanomas of the choroid. These usually occur after puberty and increase in incidence with advancing age. Most malignant melanomas of the uveal tract develop from benign melanomas (nevi).	Choroidal Neoplasms,Choroid Neoplasm,Choroidal Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Choroid,Neoplasm, Choroidal,Neoplasms, Choroid,Neoplasms, Choroidal
D003390	Cranial Nerve Neoplasms	Benign and malignant neoplasms that arise from one or more of the twelve cranial nerves.	Cranial Neuroma, Benign,Benign Cranial Nerve Neoplasms,Benign Cranial Nerve Tumors,Cranial Nerve Neoplasms, Benign,Cranial Nerve Neoplasms, Malignant,Cranial Nerve Tumors, Benign,Cranial Nerve Tumors, Malignant,Malignant Cranial Nerve Neoplasms,Malignant Cranial Nerve Tumors,Neoplasms, Cranial Nerve,Neoplasms, Cranial Nerve, Benign,Neoplasms, Cranial Nerve, Malignant,Tumors, Cranial Nerve, Benign,Tumors, Cranial Nerve, Malignant,Benign Cranial Neuroma,Benign Cranial Neuromas,Cranial Nerve Neoplasm,Cranial Neuromas, Benign,Neoplasm, Cranial Nerve,Neuroma, Benign Cranial,Neuromas, Benign Cranial
D003937	Diagnosis, Differential	Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures.	Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D005128	Eye Diseases	Diseases affecting the eye.	Eye Disorders,Eye Disease,Eye Disorder