LIFETIME PREVALENCE OF UVEAL MELANOMA IN WHITE PATIENTS WITH OCULO(DERMAL) MELANOCYTOSIS

Objective: In the white population, an association between oculo(derma l) melanocytosis (ODM) and uveal melanoma is well recognized. However, the lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma in the ODM population is no t known. This study was designed to determine the lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma among patients with ocular melanocytosis. Design: Fi fty-six white patients manifesting ODM with uveal melanoma formed the basis of the study. Main Outcome Measures: Published prevalence rates of ODM and uveal melanoma were used for calculations using Bayes' theo rem. Results: The lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma in white patie nts with ODM is estimated to be 2.6 x 10(-3) The median age at diagnos is of uveal melanoma in the ODM population was similar to a randomly s elected population (60.5 years and 62.5 years, respectively). In the v ast majority of patients (90%) with ODM-associated uveal melanoma, the uveal melanoma was diagnosed between the ages of 31 years and 80 year s. Conclusions: One of about 400 patients with ODM followed for life i s estimated to develop uveal melanoma, Excessive melanocytes in the uv eal tract in ODM may provide the biologic basis for susceptibility to the development of uveal melanoma. Patients with ODM should be monitor ed ophthalmoscopically, especially during the susceptible period, for the development of uveal melanoma. The authors suggest that a national registry of ODM patients be created and prospective data collected to better assess the risk of developing uveal melanoma.