Multinodular goiter and primary hyperparathyroidism: a circuitous route to diagnosing metastatic uveal melanoma

Uveal metastasis arising from thyroid neoplasms: A case study synthesis

PURPOSE

We systematically reviewed the case report literature to identify cases of uveal metastases originating from thyroid cancer (TC), evaluate factors and indications in uveal metastases from TC, and provide clinical insights through recent case studies.

METHODS

Web of Science, Medline, and Scopus databases were searched for case reports or series reporting uveal metastasis from a thyroid neoplasm. Articles published in any language from inception through November 2022 were searched and screened independently by two reviewers. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Reports.

RESULTS

A total of 1049 records were screened, resulting in the identification of 46 cases from 43 studies. The mean (SD) age at uveal metastases diagnosis was 58.44 (±17.99) years with the median (interquartile range) of 56.5 (29.75) (range, 20-83 years), with 34.8% of cases (16/46) cases reported in elderly patients (>64 years). The sample consisted of 56.5% (26/46) male patients. Uveal metastases were observed in the right eye in 16 cases, the left eye in 19 cases, and both eyes in 11 cases. Choroidal involvement was present in 84.8% of cases (39/46) cases. Papillary carcinoma was the most common thyroid cancer type (34.8%, 16/46), followed by follicular carcinoma (32.6%, 15/46), and medullary carcinoma (21.7%, 10/46).

CONCLUSION

Uveal metastases have been observed to appear in metastatic TC, and physicians should approach ocular symptoms cautiously in cases that accompany a neck mass or a history of previous TC.

Poor Response to Checkpoint Immunotherapy in Uveal Melanoma Highlights the Persistent Need for Innovative Regional Therapy Approaches to Manage Liver Metastases

Uveal melanoma is a cancer that develops from melanocytes in the posterior uveal tract. Metastatic uveal melanoma is an extremely rare disease that has a poor long-term prognosis, limited treatment options and a strong predilection for liver metastasis. Median overall survival has been reported to be 6 months and 1 year mortality of 80%. Traditional chemotherapy used in cutaneous melanoma is ineffective in uveal cases. Surgical resection and ablation is the preferred therapy for liver metastasis but is often not feasible due to extent of disease. In this review, we will explore treatment options for liver metastases from uveal melanoma, with a focus on isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP). IHP offers an aggressive regional therapy approach that can be used in bulky unresectable disease and allows high-dose chemotherapy with melphalan to be delivered directly to the liver without systemic effects. Long-term median overall survival has been reported to be as high as 27 months. We will also highlight the poor responses associated with checkpoint inhibitors, including an overview of the biological rationale driving this lack of immunotherapy effect for this disease. The persistent failure of traditional treatments and immunotherapy suggest an ongoing need for regional surgical approaches such as IHP in this disease.