Abstract
Conjunctival melanoma, a rare malignancy of the ocular surface, is increasing in incidence.
When small, straightforward excision with “no touch” surgery and cryotherapy at an
experienced centre can provide excellent outcomes. When advanced, management is more
complex and highly individualized. The risk of metastatic disease from conjunctival
melanoma is as high as 30% and depends on tumour origin, American Joint Committee
on Cancer (AJCC) classification, biomarkers, and perhaps most important, management
technique. Metastatic disease can result in melanoma-associated death. Therefore,
early detection and prompt directed treatment at an experienced centre are important
for protection from metastasis. In this review, we provide an update on conjunctival
melanoma clinical features, diagnostic modalities, AJCC staging, genetic markers,
and the most critical, controlled management with minimization of tumour seeding.
We detail the new era of characterization of conjunctival melanoma with molecular
biomarkers that predict melanoma prognosis. This could lead to precision medicine
with targeted approaches to specific mutations that improve patient survival. As we
work together, the field of conjunctival melanoma is moving forward.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 12, 2023
Accepted:
February 15,
2023
Received:
January 2,
2023
Publication stage
In Press Uncorrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
