Malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva: occurrence and survival following surgery and radiotherapy in a Danish population

• Published in: Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology Vol. 234; no. 9; p. 569
• Main Authors: Norregaard, J C, Gerner, N, Jensen, O A, Prause, J U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.09.1996
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Conjunctival Neoplasms - mortality; Conjunctival Neoplasms - pathology; Conjunctival Neoplasms - therapy; Denmark - epidemiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Male; Melanoma - mortality; Melanoma - pathology; Melanoma - therapy; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Survival Rate; Denmark
• ISSN: 0721-832X
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00448801

To describe patient characteristics, risk of recurrence, and survival in patients with premalignant and malignant melanocytic lesions of the conjunctiva. In a retrospective study, 55 cases with a minimum follow-up of 10 years were reviewed. The actuarial 5-and 10-year survival rates were 86% (95% Cl: 76-96%) and 73% (95% Cl: 60-87%) respectively. The 5-year risk of local recurrence was 35% (95% Cl: 21-49%), and the 10-year risk was 43% (95% Cl: 28-58%). Primary acquired melanosis with atypia was the first manifestation in 13 cases, malignant melanoma in 42 cases. No significant difference in survival and recurrence was found between the two groups or by gender, location of primary lesion, histological characteristics, or extent of surgical procedure. A minimum incidence of 0.052 cases a year per 100 000 in Denmark was calculated. The results are estimated to represent a nationwide sample of patients. No prognostic factors of significance were identified.