Objective To investigate the surgical resection and reparation of heel with malignant melanoma. Methods Eight patients with malignant melanoma were treated from May 2001 to December 2003. The patients included 5 males and 3 females, and their ages ranged from 28 to 56 years. All lesions were located in theheel and were proved by pathological examination. According to Breslow classification, there were 2 cases of Grade Ⅰ, 5 cases of Grade Ⅱ, and 1 case of GradeⅢ. Local extensive resection was performed in all cases. Lateral pedal skin flap, plantar medial artery island skin flap, and retrograde skin flap supplied bysural nutrition blood vessel were respectively applied in the reparation according to the size of heel soft tissue defect. The treatment with interferon was delivered before and after the operation. Results The surgical reparation was successful in all 8 cases. The postoperative follow-up was conducted from 18 monthsto 4 years. All patients remained alive and no tumor recurrence was observed. Considering the recovery of the function and sense, the best result was acquired with plantar medial artery island skin flap and lateral pedal skin flap, good with retrograde skin flap supplied by sural nutrition blood vessel. Conclusion Local extensive resection is essential for the heel with malignant melanoma. Reparative reconstruction should be made on negative operative margin. Satisfactory clinical outcome is achieved by using lateral pedal skin flap, plantar medial artery island skin flap, and retrograde skin flap supplied by sural nutrition blood vessel.
Objective To observe the macular morphological changes of choroidal melanoma with coherence tomography (OCT) after plaque radiotherapy (PRT). Methods A total of 48 patients (48 eyes) with choroidal melanoma who underwent125I PRT were enrolled in this study. All the patients were examined documenting OCT to get the image of macula. The macula of all the patients was not involved. The median visual acuity was 0.4plusmn;0.2, which ranged from 0.02 to 1.0. There were 18 eyes (37.5%) with retinal detachment, 12 eyes (25.0%) with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes, seven eyes (14.6%) with macular edema, epimacular membrane, detachment combined with edema, exudation and RPE changes, 11 eyes (22.9%) with normal macular structure. The median follow-up time was (10.4plusmn;5.9) months, which ranged from one to 24 months. The tumor control situation and visual acuity were observed in follow-up period. The same equipment and methods of OCT were used to return visit in follow-up period. The macular morphological changes at the final visit and its relationship with PRT and visual acuity were contrastively analyzed. Results All the patients had good control of tumor. The vision acuity improved in two eyes (4.2%), unchanged in 10 eyes (20.8%), and decreased in 36 eyes (75.0%). The differences of the visual acuity was statistically significant between before and after treatment (Z=-3.778,P＜0.05). There were 13 eyes (27.1%) with retinal detachment; nine eyes (18.8%) with RPE changes; 17 eyes (35.4%) with macular edema, detachment combined with edema, exudation and RPE changes; six eyes (12.5%) with proliferation, atrophy, detachment combined with edema, exudation and epimacular membrane;three eyes (6.3%) with normal macular structure. There were 15 patients (31.3%) with two or more abnormal macular morphology after PRT. Conclusions Retinal detachment, RPE changes, macular edema and exudation are common abnormal macular morphology after PRT. The incidence rate of abnormal macular morphology is increased. There are 31.3% patients with two or more abnormal macular morphology.
Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy and complications of plaque radiotherapy (PRT) combined with transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) on choroidal melanoma (CM). Methods Thirty unilateral CM patients (30 eyes, including 15 males and 15 females) were treated by PRT and TTT. The visual acuity ranged from 0.1 to 0.8 with an average of 0.3plusmn;0.2. The largest base diameter of tumor ranged from 6.8 mm to 17.9 mm with an average of (11.3plusmn;2.8) mm；The tumor height ranged from 3.9 mm to 10.6 mm with an average of (7.2plusmn;2.4) mm. The criteria of controlled local tumor: based on B-scan ultrasound measurement, the tumor was considered as ldquo;growingrdquo; if tumor height increased 2 mm or tumor largest base diameter increased 250 mu;m, otherwise the tumor was considered ldquo;controlledrdquo;. The followup ranged from 15 to 57 months with an average (33.01plusmn;9.81) months. The local tumor control rate, enucleation rate and visual acuity, complications after treatment were observed.Results The tumor largest base diameter after treatment ranged from 4.6 mm to 17.0 mm with an average (9.79plusmn;3.35) mm, which had statistically significant difference（t=2.195，F=0.49；P=0.032) with that before treatment. The tumor height after treatment ranged from 2.7 mm to 11.9 mm with an average (5.19plusmn;2.57) mm, which had statistically significant difference（t=2.069，F=0.018；P=0.0435) with that before treatment. At the end of follow up, the tumor largest diameter and height increased in two eyes respectively compared with those before treatment. Local tumor control rate was 86.7%. Three eyeballs were enucleated after treatment，the enucleation rate was 10.0%. The visual acuity remained unchanged in 12 eyes，improved in one eye and decreased in 17 eyes. Treatment complications included radiation retinopathy in 12 eyes (40.0%), secondary retinal detachment in three eyes (10.0%), secondary glaucoma in one eye (3.3%), cataract in four eyes (13.3%) and dry eye syndrome in five eyes (16.7%). Conclusion PRT combined with TTT is an effective therapy for choroidal melanoma with less complications.
Objective To investigate the expression of pigment epitheliumderived factor (PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in choroidal melanoma. Methods The expression of VEGF and PEDF protein in fifty-eight cases of paraffinembeded choroidal melanoma samples was measured by immunohistochemistry, the expression of PEDF mRNA in thirtynine choroidal melanoma samples was assayed by in situ hybridization. Results PEDF protein was detected in 13/58 cases (22.4%) of choroidal melanoma, the positive rate in nonsclerainvasion group (12/38, 31.6%) was higher (Plt;0.05) than that in sclerainvasion group (1/20, 5%). VEGF protein was detected in 43/58 cases (64%) of choroidal melanoma, the positive rate in nonsclerainvasion group (25/38, 65.8%) was lower (Plt;0.05) than that in sclerainvasion group (18/20, 90%). The expression of PEDF mRNA was detected in 18/39(46.2) cases, the positive rate in nonsclerainvasion group was higher (Plt;0.05) than that in sclerainvasion group. Conclusions Imbalanced expression of VEGF and PEDF in choroidal melanoma may play a key role in the angiogenesis, tumor progression and metastasis.
Objective To evaluate the clinical and histopathological features of diffuse choroidal melanoma. Methods The clinical and histopathological data of 11 patients with diffuse choroidal melanoma were reviewed retrospectively. Those patients were referred to Tianjin Eye Hospital because of visual loss or ophthalmalgia (10 cases), or Coats disease with secondary glaucoma and atrophy bulbi (1 case). The clinical disgnosis included choroidal tumor or melanoma (8 cases), absolutestage glaucoma (2 cases) and atrop hy bulbi with Coats disease (1 case). Nine patients received enucleation, and 2 patients received enucleation combined with orbital exenteration. The cellular proliferation was assessed by Ki-67staining. Results All 11 tumors had grown flatly with a wide base ranged from 12 to 20 mm, and tumor thickness ranged from 2 to 4 mm. There were 9 cases of mixed cell type, 1 case of epithelioid cell type and 1 case of necrotic cell type. The tumors invaded into the sclera in 7 cases and orbital cavity in 3 cases. Secondary glaucoma was found in 7 cases. On average, 9% (7%13%) of tumor cells were Ki67 positive and most of them located at the tumor base. There were more Ki67 positive epithelioid tumor cells than Ki67 positive spindle-shaped cells. Conclusions Diffuse choroidal melanoma had a special growth pattern and is difficult to be recognized, sometimes could be misdiagnosed as glaucoma or other choroidal tumors. With its wide base, this tumor could easily invade the orbit and metastate, and its prognosis is very poor.
Objective To investigate the expression of E26 transformation-specific-1（E26ts-1），matrix metalloproteinase-1（MMP-1）and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 （TIMP-1） in choroidal melanoma and the correlation with the tumorprime;s infiltration and metastasis. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of E26ts-1，MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in 78 cases of choroidal melanoma who were divided into shuttle-cells，paraepithelial-cells and mixed-cells type according to the configuration of tumor cells.The patients were followed up and their average existing time was calculated.The results were statistically computed with statistic SPSS 10.0 package. Results In the 78 cases，shuttle-cells type was found in 21，paraepithelial-cells type in 34，and mixed-cells type in 23. Expression of TIMP-1was low in uveal melanoma，while expression of E26ts-1 and MMP-1 was obviously found in the three types of choroidal melanoma;the sequence of expression intensity was shuttle-cells，mixed-cells and paraepithelial-cells type.Among 37 cases who had been followed up，the shuttle-cells type was in 18 with the average existing time of （78.33plusmn;24.69）months，the mixed-cells type was in 10 with the average existing time of（61.44plusmn;20.46）months，and the paraepithelial-cells type was in 9 with the average existing time of（36.76plusmn;12.19）months.The existing time was negative correlated with the intensity of expresion of E26ts-1 and MMP-1. Conclusion The high expression of E26ts-1 and MMP-1and low expression of TIMP-1may relate to the choroidal melanomaprime;s infiltration and metastasis. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 174-176)
Objective To evaluate the application value of scanning laser angiography with a wide-field contact lens system in the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma. Methods Twenty-four patients with choroidal melanoma were randomly divided into two groups, who underwent fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography scanning with the wide-field contact and non-contact lens system respectively in order to acquire the 150deg;wide-field and 30deg;view image data. The quality of the images was comprehensively evaluated. Results Satisfying images were acquired from all of the 24 patients. Widefield contact lens system indicated the accurate adjacent relation between the lesion position and the other dissection mechanisms, and also provided the general information about the size of the tumor and the perfusion of fluorescien or indocyanine green in the blood vessels. At the same time, it enlarged the view scope 3-5 times, which make for the screening of the peripheral lesions. Conclusions Scanning laser angiography with a wide-field contact lens system has important application value in the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 166-169)
Objective To investigate the histopathological characteristics of choroidal melanoma. Methods The histopathological data from 64 patients with choroidal melanoma were analyzed retrospectively. The tumor size and the cytological types were observed and detected. The locations of the tumor were classified according to the involved part invaded by the anterior margine of the tumor, and the degrees of the development of the tumor were graded according to the extent of the outward infiltration of the tumor cells. Results In 64 patients with choroidal melanoma, There were large, medium, and small tumors in 25(39.1%), 31(48.4%), and 8(12.5%) respectively. The spindle cell type was found in 42 patients (65.6%) including spindle cell A and B type in 15(23.4%) and 27(42.3%) respectively; epithelioid and mixed cell type was found in 7(10.9%) and 10(15.6%) respectively; the other types were found in 5(7.8%). Twenty-five cases（39.1％）had no invasion with sclera, 22（34.4％）had but limited to sclera, 12（18.8％）penetrated through sclera and 5（7.8％）had intra-orbit infiltration. Conclusion The histopathological characteristics of choroidal melanoma are multiple, and spindle cell type is the most common one. The choroidal melanoma can easily invade the sclera. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 161-165)
Objective To observe the therapeutic effects and security of the local resection for uveal melanoma, and to detect the factors which affect the prognosis. Methods The clinical data of 45 patients with uveal melanoma who had undergone local resection after examined by histopathology were retrospectively analyzed, including the age，sex，the longest diameter, the location of the tumor，with or without retinal detachment, intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuities before and after the operation, and the visual acuity. The relationship between the therapeutic method and the survival prognosis was analyzed. COX regression model was set up with knubbly metastasis relapse prognosis and the multiple factors which was the assistive variables. Results Among these factors, the metastasis and relapse had obvious relation to the longest diameter and height of the tumor(P=0.04), the IOP after operation(P=0.03), pathologic classification (P=0.04)、with or without scleral infiltration (P=0.03)、the location of the tumor (P=0.01) and complete or incomplete resection (P=0.00). The period when the metastasis and relapse of tumor were most likely to happen was 20 to 40 months. Conclusion Local resection is one of the effective methods for uveal melanoma. These patients should be followed up closely from 20 to 40 months after operation, and if necessary, should be treated combined with other treatments. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 154-156)
Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of plaque radiotherapy (PRT) on choroidal melanoma. Methods PRT was performed on 21 patients (21 eyes) with chroidal melanoma who had been examined by ophthalmoscopy, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and B-scan echography. The visual acuity was le;0.05 in 3 eyes, 0.06-0.2 in 4 eyes, and ge;0.3 in 14 eyes before the treatment. Choroidal melanoma, round or oval brown solid hunch, was located at the area around macula in 7 eyes, around the optic disc in 7 eyes, at or near the vascular arcade in 5 cases, and at the periphery in 2 eyes. The maximum length、width and thickness of tumor was 13 mm, 11.6 mm, and 9.59 mm. The isotope we used was125I, and the quantum of designed radiation was 100-120 Gy. Fourteen patients with choroidal melanoma at the macular area or around the optic disc underwent plaque radiotherapy associated with transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). The average follow-up duration was 12 months with the longest duration of 3 years. The basis and thickness (height) of tumors were measured by B-scan echography. The aggrandizement of the tumor would be regarded if the height increased 15% or the basis boundary aggrandized 250mm. Results The visual acuity after the treatment decreased in 9 eyes, remained unchanged in 10, and increased in 2. The dimension of tumo increased in 6 eyes, remained unchanged in 12, and decreased in 3. The complication was vitreous hemorrhage in 2 eys, vascular occlusion in 1, branch retinal venous occlusion in 1, macular pucker in 1, retinal hemorrhage in 3, partial optic atrophy in 3, neovascular glaucoma in 1, and extraction of eye in 3. Conclusion The domestic plaque design is effective on choroidal melanoma, and is of a sort on the thick tumor and the tumor located at macula or beside the optic disc. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 157-160)