INCIDENCE OF CERVICAL METASTASIS FROM UVEAL MELANOMA - IMPLICATIONS FOR TREATMENT

Background. Although the literature has focused on the propensity of u veal melanoma to metastasize to the liver, little attention has been d irected to its spread in regional, cervical lymph nodes. Methods. We r eviewed records of 77 patients who underwent primary resection of uvea l melanoma during a 15-year period at our institution. Results. A tota l of only 6.5% of patients developed cervical metastasis. Factors such as age, race, sex, tumor location, and histology were not influential in identifying these patients. Tumor size and local orbital recurrenc e were, however, associated with a higher risk of cervical lymphadenop athy (p < 0.05). Cervical metastases were also associated with the pre sence of distant metastatic disease. Conclusion. Neck dissection shoul d be reserved for patients with clinically demonstrable lymphadenopath y only after distant disease has been excluded. (C) 1995 John Wiley an d Sons, Inc.