ARE ATYPICAL NEVI A RISK FACTOR FOR UVEAL MELANOMA - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Atypical nevi and other potential risk factors for uveal melanoma were studied in 109 uveal melanoma patients and 149 controls. Information concerning employment, medical history, drug use, family history of ca ncer, excess sun exposure, and blistering sunburn before and after the age of 15 was obtained. A total skin examination was performed and sk in type, hair color, eye color, freckles, actinic damage, the total nu mber of common acquired nevi, and the number of clinically atypical ne vi were noted. More atypical nevi were found in uveal melanoma patient s than in controls (age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio of 2.9 [95% confi dence interval 1.2-6.3] for one or two atypical nevi versus none; odds ratio of 5.1 [95% CI 1.3 - 20.0] for three or more atypical nevi vers us none). Light skin types and freckling also prevailed in uveal melan oma cases. In our study, atypical nevi are more common in uveal melano ma patients than in controls. Further studies will have to indicate wh ether risk factors comparable to those for cutaneous melanoma really e xist for uveal melanoma.