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Epistaxis or epiphora as a sign for extension of a conjunctival melanoma. A series of six patients with nasolacrimal recurrence
  1. G S Missotten1,2,3,
  2. J Gambrelle4,
  3. D de Wolff-Rouendaal1,
  4. R J W de Keizer1,5
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
  2. 2Department of Ophthalmology, Virga Jesse Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
  3. 3Department of Ophthalmology, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
  4. 4Department of Ophthalmology, Lyon University Hospital, Croix-Rouge, Lyon, France
  5. 5Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
  1. Correspondence to Rob J W de Keizer, Ocular Oncology Unit, Department Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; guymissotten{at}hotmail.com

Abstract

Purpose To characterise malignant conjunctival melanomas with extension and recurrence in the nasolacrimal system.

Methods Localisation of the primary tumour and recurrences of 210 conjunctival melanomas treated in The Netherlands were reviewed for orbital and nasal tumours (1978–2008). Based of these cases and literature data, characteristics for nasolacrimal system extension and metastasis were reviewed.

Results Six patients (3%) showed a recurrence of the primary conjunctival melanoma in the nasolacrimal system. Two of the six primary tumours were limbal tumours; the other four were diffuse tumours involving the fornix. In all six patients, the primary conjunctival melanomas were associated with primary acquired melanosis. During the follow-up period (11.6±3 years, range 3.4-28.5 years, median 8.7 years) two patients developed metastases and died.

Conclusions Patients should be advised to contact their treating ophthalmologist in the case of symptoms of epiphora, nose obstructions and epistaxis, especially non-bulbar and diffuse cases associated with primary acquired melanosis.

  • Conjunctival melanoma
  • primary acquired melanoma
  • nasolacrimal tumour
  • nasal extension
  • melanoma recurrence

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Footnotes

  • Funding Funds for Research in Ophthalmology and BrailleligaStichting Prize 2008 (GSM).

  • Competing interests None.

  • Patient consent Obtained.

  • Ethics approval There is no specific ethical committee approval necessary for this retrospective study.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.