CELL CYCLING AND PROGNOSIS IN UVEAL MELANOMA

Uveal melanoma cell cycling, quantified by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd)- labeling index and mitotic index, is predictive of tumor-related morta lity. Serial sections from 36 formalin-fixed melanoma specimens were l abeled with BrdUrd and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, All tumors were assessed for the area of highest cell cycling activity and counts for mitotic figures and BrdUrd labeling were performed in these areas in a masked manner. The BrdUrd labeling index and mitotic index were calculated and analyzed in relation to tumor-related mortality and his topathological criteria (largest tumor diameter, cell type, extrascler al extension, ocular location), Cox multivariate analysis estimated an increased relative risk of tumor-related mortality of 2.32 (95% confi dence interval, 1.22-4.41) per doubling of BrdUrd labeling index and 2 .41 (95% confidence interval, 1.29-4.49) per doubling mitotic index, L arger tumors, nonspindle cell tumors, and anterior-located tumors tend ed to have higher cycling rates.