Peripapillary choroidal melanomas. Extension along the optic nerve and its sheaths. 1978

H F Shammas, and F C Blodi

We reviewed 26 cases of peripapillary melanoma, 21 (80.8%) of which extended into the optic nerve or its meningeal sheaths. Most melanomas that extended into the optic nerve were necrotic and of the mixed or epithelioid cell type; all invaded the overlying retina and occurred in blind eyes with secondary glaucoma. The extension of melanoma cells into the subarachnoidal space was only influenced by the presence of the melanoma around the optic nerve head (peripapillary). The prognosis of these patients was highly dependent on the presence of orbital extension. A long piece of optic nerve should be excised when eyes with peripapillary melanomas are enucleated.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D008577 Meningeal Neoplasms Benign and malignant neoplastic processes that arise from or secondarily involve the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord. Intracranial Meningeal Neoplasms,Spinal Meningeal Neoplasms,Benign Meningeal Neoplasms,Leptomeningeal Neoplasms,Malignant Meningeal Neoplasms,Meningeal Cancer,Meningeal Neoplasms, Benign,Meningeal Neoplasms, Intracranial,Meningeal Neoplasms, Malignant,Meningeal Tumors,Neoplasms, Leptomeningeal,Neoplasms, Meningeal,Benign Meningeal Neoplasm,Cancer, Meningeal,Cancers, Meningeal,Intracranial Meningeal Neoplasm,Leptomeningeal Neoplasm,Malignant Meningeal Neoplasm,Meningeal Cancers,Meningeal Neoplasm,Meningeal Neoplasm, Benign,Meningeal Neoplasm, Intracranial,Meningeal Neoplasm, Malignant,Meningeal Neoplasm, Spinal,Meningeal Neoplasms, Spinal,Meningeal Tumor,Neoplasm, Benign Meningeal,Neoplasm, Intracranial Meningeal,Neoplasm, Leptomeningeal,Neoplasm, Malignant Meningeal,Neoplasm, Meningeal,Neoplasm, Spinal Meningeal,Neoplasms, Benign Meningeal,Neoplasms, Intracranial Meningeal,Neoplasms, Malignant Meningeal,Neoplasms, Spinal Meningeal,Spinal Meningeal Neoplasm,Tumor, Meningeal,Tumors, Meningeal
D009361 Neoplasm Invasiveness Ability of neoplasms to infiltrate and actively destroy surrounding tissue. Invasiveness, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Invasion,Invasion, Neoplasm
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
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013346 Subarachnoid Space The space between the arachnoid membrane and PIA MATER, filled with CEREBROSPINAL FLUID. It contains large blood vessels that supply the BRAIN and SPINAL CORD. Space, Subarachnoid,Spaces, Subarachnoid,Subarachnoid Spaces

Related Publications

H F Shammas, and F C Blodi
January 1994, Journal of glaucoma,
H F Shammas, and F C Blodi
December 1999, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science,
H F Shammas, and F C Blodi
January 2009, Retinal cases & brief reports,
H F Shammas, and F C Blodi
January 2022, Taiwan journal of ophthalmology,
H F Shammas, and F C Blodi
April 1993, Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960),
H F Shammas, and F C Blodi
March 1987, The British journal of ophthalmology,
H F Shammas, and F C Blodi
October 2004, Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.),
H F Shammas, and F C Blodi
December 2016, Ophthalmology,
H F Shammas, and F C Blodi
April 1936, The British journal of ophthalmology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!