Premium
Incidence of cervical metastasis from uveal melanoma: Implications for treatment
Author(s) -
Tojo David,
Wenig Barry L.,
Resnick Kenneth I.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.2880170211
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , incidence (geometry) , metastasis , cervical lymphadenopathy , dissection (medical) , disease , neck dissection , cervical lymph nodes , surgery , cancer , physics , cancer research , optics
Background. Although the literature has focused on the propensity of uveal melanoma to metastasize to the liver, little attention has been directed to its spread in regional, cervical lymph nodes. Methods. We reviewed records of 77 patients who underwent primary resection of uveal melanoma during a 15‐year period at our institution. Results. A total of only 6.5% of patients developed cervical metastasis. Factors such as age, race, sex, tumor location, and histology were not influential in identifying these patients. Tumor size and local orbital recurrence were, however, associated with a higher risk of cervical lymphadenopathy ( p < 0.05). Cervical metastases were also associated with the presence of distant metastatic disease. Conclusion. Neck dissection should be reserved for patients with clinically demonstrable lymphadenopathy only after distant disease has been excluded. © 1995 Jons Wiley & Sons, Inc.