Abstract

Aims To describe the long-term tumour control and metastatic rate after transscleral resection (TSR) of large uveal melanomas in a single-centre study.

Methods The sample included 210 patients with large uveal melanomas. Univariate analysis of local tumour control and metastatic risk by Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log-rank testing. Cox proportional HR analysis with forward and backward selection was used to identify independent prognostic factors in patients submitted to TSR of a large uveal melanoma.

Results A residual tumour was diagnosed in 6% of the patients. The 5- and 10-year local tumour recurrence rates were 24% and 32%, respectively. Older age, a large basal tumour diameter, the lack of adjuvant ruthenium brachytherapy and retinal detachment led to a 2.6, 2.4, 4.4 and 7.8 times higher risk of melanoma recurrence, respectively. The 5- and 10-year metastatic rates were 28% and 44%, respectively, and were statistical significantly affected by extraocular spread, tumour thickness and local tumour recurrence.

Conclusions TSR is an alternative to enucleation for the treatment of large uveal melanomas. Results should improve with better patient selection and more effective methods of adjuvant radiotherapy.