IRRADIATED UVEAL MELANOMAS - CYTOPATHOLOGIC CORRELATION WITH PROGNOSIS

PURPOSE: We analyzed the additional prognostic information from cytopa thologic data obtained at the time of uveal melanoma irradiation. METH ODS: Fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) were performed and rerevi ewed in a masked manner. These data and standard prognostic variables were correlated with survival and local tumor recurrence using Kaplan Meier and Cox model statistical techniques. RESULTS: Cytopathologic as sessment of cell type added to prognostic accuracy. In 116 patients, t he percentage of epithelioid cells on FNAB and ciliary body involvemen t were most strongly correlated with melanoma-related mortality. CONCL USIONS: FNAB data improved our prognostic accuracy in irradiated uveal melanoma patients.