Ocular melanoma-when you have seen one, you have not seen them all: a clinical outcome study from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (1973-2012)

Pediatric ocular melanoma: a collaborative multicenter study and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To investigate clinical manifestations and prognoses in pediatric patients (≤12 years old) with ocular melanoma.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study with individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis pooling available published cases, and unpublished cases from an international collaboration of seven ocular oncology centers.

RESULTS

There were 133 eyes of 133 pediatric patients with choroidal or ciliary body (n = 66 [50%]), iris (n = 33 [25%]), conjunctival (n = 26 [19%]), and eyelid (n = 8 [6%]) melanoma. Overall, the mean patient age at presentation was 7 years (median, 8; range, 1-12 years), with 63 males (49%). The mean age by tumor site was 6.50 ± 3.90, 7.44 ± 3.57, 9.12 ± 2.61, and 5.63 ± 2.38 years, for choroid/ciliary body, iris, conjunctiva, and eyelid melanoma, respectively (P = 0.001). Association with ocular melanocytosis was seen in 15%, 11%, 4%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.01). Frequency of ocular melanoma family history did not vary by tumor site (7%, 17%, 9% and 12%, resp. [P = 0.26]). After mean follow-up of 74, 85, 50, and 105 months (P = 0.65), metastasis was seen in 12%, 9%, 19%, and 13% of choroid/ciliary body, iris, conjunctiva, and eyelid melanoma, respectively. Death was reported in 5%, 3%, 8%, and 0%, respectively, with survival analysis indicating higher mortality in choroidal/ciliary body and conjunctival melanoma patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Ocular melanoma in the pediatric population is rare, with unique clinical features and outcomes. Iris melanoma accounts for about one-third of pediatric uveal melanoma cases.

Brachytherapy in the prevention of recurrence of conjunctival melanoma : Results of a case report in a University Hospital in Valladolid, Spain

AIM

Describe the results of brachytherapy in the prevention of recurrences in conjunctival melanoma (CM) and describe a dosimetric protocol.

METHODS

Retrospective and descriptive case report. Eleven consecutive patients with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of CM treated with brachytherapy between 1992 and 2023 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and dosimetric characteristics as well as recurrences were recorded. Quantitative variables were represented by the mean, median, and standard deviation, and qualitative variables by frequency of distribution.

RESULTS

Of a total of 27 patients diagnosed with CM, 11 who were treated with brachytherapy were included in the study (7 female; mean age at time of treatment: 59.4 years). Mean follow-up was 58.82 months (range 11-141 months). Of a total of 11 patients, 8 were treated with ruthenium-106 and 3 with iodine-125. Brachytherapy was performed in 6 patients as adjuvant therapy after biopsy-proven CM on histopathology and in the other 5 patients after recurrence. The mean dose was 85 Gy in all cases. Recurrences outside of the previously irradiated area were observed in 3 patients, metastases were diagnosed in 2 patients, and one case of an ocular adverse event was reported.

CONCLUSION

Brachytherapy is an adjuvant treatment option in invasive conjunctival melanoma. In our case report, only one patient had an adverse effect. However, this topic requires further research. Furthermore, each case is unique and should be evaluated by experts in a multidisciplinary approach involving ophthalmologists, radiation oncologists, and physicists.

Practical guidelines for the management of adverse events of the T cell engager bispecific tebentafusp

Tebentafusp is a new T cell receptor bispecific fusion protein and the first approved treatment option for human leucocyte antigen-A*02:01 (HLA-A*02:01) metastatic uveal melanoma, with a proven benefit in overall survival versus the investigator's choice. As a first-in-class therapeutic option, this Immune mobilising monoclonal T cell receptor Against Cancer (ImmTAC) is associated with a new adverse event (AE) profile. Based on clinical experience, a national expert group discussed recommendations for tebentafusp treatment, focusing on AE management. Further topics included prerequisites for initiating tebentafusp treatment, appropriate treatment setting, and patient selection criteria. To provide guidance for treating physicians, the resulting recommendations are summarised including a model standard operating procedure for AE management. Patients in good clinical condition and with a low tumour burden are good candidates for tebentafusp treatment, particularly if treated as early as possible after the diagnosis of metastatic disease. The safety profile of tebentafusp is manageable and includes two major pathologies: cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and skin-related events. Postdose monitoring should thus focus on pyrexia and hypotension as the first symptoms of cytokine release. To minimise the risk of hypotension associated with CRS, patients should receive intravenous fluids before starting treatment. The monitoring of liver values is crucial, as patients may experience an increase in transaminases, which can even manifest as tumour lysis syndrome.

Prognostic Value of BAP1 and Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) Immunohistochemistry in Uveal Melanomas

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults, and despite excellent local control, more than 50% of patients develop and die from metastatic disease. Loss of BAP1 nuclear staining, a surrogate marker of BAP1 mutation, and preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) messenger RNA overexpression, as assessed using qPCR, have previously been shown to correlate with increased metastasis rate in UM. In this study, we demonstrated that UM could be successfully risk-stratified using a combination of BAP1 and PRAME immunohistochemical (IHC) stains. We retrospectively reviewed 318 UM cases with sufficient tissue and performed BAP1 and PRAME IHC to stratify them as BAP1+/PRAME- (group 1, n = 135), BAP1+/PRAME+ (group 2, n = 43), BAP1-/PRAME- (group 3, n = 94), and BAP1-/PRAME+ (group 4, n = 46). Increasing the study risk group on the basis of loss of BAP1 expression and positive PRAME staining was associated with a higher rate of metastasis and disease-specific death and lower metastasis-free survival (MFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Among tumors with loss of BAP1 staining, PRAME positivity was associated with shorter MFS (P = .018) and showed a trend toward shorter DSS (P = .061). Among tumors with retained BAP1 staining, PRAME positivity was associated with shorter MFS and DSS (P = .001 and P = .021, respectively). In summary, a combination of BAP1 and PRAME IHC can be used for risk stratification of UMs.

Concomitant uveal melanoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma: a case report

Background

Melanoma develops in the cells that produce melanin; ocular melanoma accounts for 3–4% of all malignant melanomas. Thyroid tumors are the most common endocrine neoplasms, with more than 95% of cases arising from follicular cell origin. Previous studies have reported associations between malignant melanoma and a wide variety of malignancies.

Case presentation

We report a 54-year-old Iranian woman who was diagnosed with ocular melanoma based on a mushroom-shaped filling defect with homogeneous echo pattern arising from the anterior third of the temporal side of the globe detected on ocular sonography during routine ophthalmological examination. She underwent right globe enucleation and implant replacement. During tumor surveillance, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan showed low-grade metabolically active tumoral involvement in the anterolateral aspect of the right lobe of thyroid. The patient subsequently underwent thyroidectomy and submandibular lymphadenectomy. Pathologic report demonstrated micropapillary carcinoma (9 × 8 mm²), tall cell variant without lymphovascular or perineural invasion in the base of lymphocytic thyroiditis.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the importance of precise active surveillance in case of papillary carcinoma of thyroid or malignant melanoma to avoid missing other associated pathologies and emphasizes the simultaneous treatment of two tumors.

Uveal Melanoma Identified as Ocular Mass on Point-of-care Ultrasound

Case Presentation

A 41-year-old man presented to the emergency department with five months of progressive monocular vision loss in his right eye, which he described as a gradually descending and enlarging black spot. He had no light perception in his right eye with elevated intraocular pressure and an afferent pupillary defect, while his left eye visual acuity and pupillary exam was normal. Point-of-care ultrasound demonstrated a hyperechoic, pedunculated mass in the posterior chamber of his right eye, consistent with a diagnosis of ocular melanoma. Ophthalmology scheduled the patient for an elective, right eye enucleation the following week, after which a diagnosis of uveal melanoma (UM) was confirmed on histopathology.

Discussion

Uveal melanoma is an uncommon diagnosis that requires prompt intervention and surveillance due to the possibility of distant metastases arising in up to 50% of patients. Emergency department diagnosis of UM may be confounded by features of other intraocular pathology, such as increased ocular pressure or the finding of retinal detachment on fundoscopy. When emergency providers encounter glaucoma or retinal detachment on physical exam, point-of-care ultrasonography represents a key adjunct in the timely diagnosis and referral of this potentially vision- and life-threatening malignancy.

Incidence and Survival of Patients With Conjunctival Melanoma in Europe

Importance

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) is a rare ocular tumor. Estimates of incidence and survival of patients with CM are important to researchers and policy makers.

Objective

To estimate incidence and survival of patients with CM in Europe.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based cohort study used data from 41 European cancer registries adhering to the RARECAREnet project. All individuals diagnosed as having malignant CM from January 1995 to December 2007 coded according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition codes C69.0 (conjunctiva) and 8720-8780 (melanoma) were included. Analysis began March 2019.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Trend estimates for incidence and for 5-year relative survival (the ratio of the measured survival of patients to the expected survival in the general population for the same country, age, sex, and calendar year). Crude, age-standardized, and bayesian incidence rates were calculated. Five-year relative survival was calculated by the Ederer II method with the cohort and period approach.

Results

A total of 724 patients 15 years or older (512 [70.7%] were 55 years or older; 366 [50.6%] were female) were analyzed with an overall crude incidence of CM (per 1 000 000 person/y) of 0.46 (95% CI, 0.42-0.49). Crude incidence was similar in men and women (0.48; 95% CI, 0.44-0.54 and 0.46; 95% CI, 0.41-0.51, respectively) and increased with age. Age-standardized incidence increased over time only in men and was the highest in Norway and the Netherlands (more than 0.70). Only 1 case in 14 years was estimated to occur in Iceland vs about 20 cases per year in large countries such as France and Germany. Percentage of 5-year survival (83.5 overall; 95% CI, 78.6-87.3) was not different between adult and elderly patients but showed large geographical disparities across European regions (range, 66-89) and improved markedly in male patients (from 76 in 1995-1998 to 86 in 2003-2007, with a difference of 10.2 [95% CI, 1.3-19.2]; P < .05) becoming similar to that of women in the last period.

Conclusions and Relevance

Although these data are only available through 2007 and based on registries not uniformly covering the European population, the study provides the first Europe-wide estimates of the incidence and relative survival of patients with CM using population-based data. Geographical differences in survival indicate room for outcome improvement in Southern, Northern, and Eastern European countries.

Genetics of Ocular Melanoma: Insights into Genetics, Inheritance and Testing

Ocular melanoma consists of posterior uveal melanoma, iris melanoma and conjunctival melanoma. These malignancies derive from melanocytes in the uveal tract or conjunctiva. The genetic profiles of these different entities differ from each other. In uveal melanoma, GNAQ and GNA11 gene mutations are frequently found and prognosis is based on mutation status of BAP1, SF3B1 and EIF1AX genes. Iris melanoma, also originating from the uvea, has similarities to the genetic makeups of both posterior uveal melanoma (UM) and conjunctival melanoma since mutations in GNAQ and GNA11 are less common and genes involved in conjunctival melanoma such as BRAF have been described. The genetic spectrum of conjunctival melanoma, however, includes frequent mutations in the BRAF, NRAS and TERT promoter genes, which are found in cutaneous melanoma as well. The BRAF status of the tumor is not correlated to prognosis, whereas the TERT promoter gene mutations are. Clinical presentation, histopathological characteristics and copy number alterations are associated with survival in ocular melanoma. Tissue material is needed to classify ocular melanoma in the different subgroups, which creates a need for the use of noninvasive techniques to prognosticate patients who underwent eye preserving treatment.

Clinical features and survival outcomes of ocular melanoma in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort

Ocular melanomas are uncommon cancers in Southeast Asia unlike in the West. We conducted a retrospective review of patients (n = 44) with histologically-proven ocular melanoma within a multi-ethnic Asian cohort from Singapore. Clinicopathological features and relapse patterns were examined, and survival outcomes of interest included recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariable Cox proportional regression. The study cohort included 18 male and 26 female patients, with a median age of 52 years (range 8–78). Median follow-up was 154 months. For uveal melanomas (n = 29), the 5-year RFS and OS was 56.8% and 76.6%, respectively; whilst for conjunctival melanomas (n = 15), the 5-year RFS and OS was 30.1% and 68.8%, respectively. Fifteen patients (38.5%) eventually developed metastasis, following which the median survival was only 17 months. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher T stage was a significant independent predictor for both OS (HR 8.69, 95% CI 1.03 to 73.09, p = 0.047) and RFS (HR 11.62, 95% CI 2.45 to 55.00, p = 0.002). Smoking history was independently predictive of better RFS (HR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.78, p = 0.030). In conclusion, our study demonstrates the poor ocular melanoma outcomes in Southeast Asians, highlighting the necessity for urgent research in this area of unmet clinical need.

Extensive conjunctival melanoma successfully treated with surgical resection and pre- and postoperative topical mitomycin C

PURPOSE

To report a case of a large conjunctival melanoma (CM) successfully treated with surgical resection and pre- and postoperative topical mitomycin C (MMC).

METHODS

This is a single observational case report.

RESULTS

A 58-year-old man was referred to us for a large pigmented conjunctival lesion of the right eye. Slit lamp examination revealed an extensive pigmented lesion diffusely involving the temporal bulbar conjunctiva, with multifocal intensely dark areas and an elevated limbal component extending on the corneal surface. The remaining bulbar and forniceal conjunctiva was not involved. The lesion was clinically diagnosed as CM. Clinical examination and head and neck ultrasonography did not show regional lymphadenopathy. The patient was treated with neoadjuvant topical MMC 0.04% four times a day for 3 weeks. At the end of MMC therapy we observed a reduction in pigmentation and thickness of the lesion. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgical excision of the lesion with "no touch technique," double freeze-thaw cryotherapy of the margins and reconstruction of the tissue defect with amniotic membrane graft. Histopathologic examination of the specimen confirmed the presence of CM, surrounded by primary acquired melanosis with atypia. The excision margins were positive for tumor involvement, so we decided to perform an adjuvant treatment with other four cycles of topical MMC.

CONCLUSIONS

The patient was closely followed-up after the treatment, without any local or distant recurrence at 32 months.

Prognostic Factors Five Years After Enucleation for Uveal Melanoma

Purpose

A subgroup of uveal melanoma (UM) gives rise to metastases at a late stage. Our objective was to identify patient and tumor characteristics that are associated with UM-related death in patients who survived 5 years following enucleation.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in 583 primary UM cases, enucleated at the Leiden University Medical Center between 1983 and 2013. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed in the total cohort and separately in those surviving more than 5 years (n = 297).

Results

In the total cohort, the median age was 62.6 years, and the median tumor diameter was 12.0 mm. Monosomy 3 was detected in 53% of cases and gain of 8q in 47%. In the cohort surviving 5 years, the median age was 59.5 years, and the median tumor diameter was 11.0 mm. Monosomy 3 and gain of 8q were detected in 33% and 31% of cases, respectively. In the total cohort, male gender (P = 0.03), tumor diameter (P < 0.001), mitotic count (P < 0.001), extravascular matrix loops (P = 0.03), extraocular growth (P < 0.001), and gain of 8q (P < 0.001) were independently associated with UM-related death. In patients surviving 5 years after enucleation, univariable analysis revealed that age (P = 0.03), tumor diameter (P < 0.001), monosomy 3 (P = 0.04), and 8q gain (P = 0.003) were associated with subsequent UM-related death. Using a multivariable analysis, only male gender (P = 0.03) and gain of 8q (P = 0.01) remained significant.

Conclusions

Predictors of UM-related death change over time. Among UM patients who survived the initial 5 years following enucleation, male gender and chromosome 8q status were the remaining factors related to UM-related death later on.

Impact of Marital Status on Survival in Patients with Ocular and Periocular Malignancies: A Retrospective Analysis of 3159 Patients from the SEER Database

Background

An ocular or periocular malignancy can profoundly impact patients’ lives as they cope with the challenges of a potentially life-threatening diagnosis and the exhaustive treatment process it entails. An amalgam of biopsychosocial factors can influence prognosis. This study aims to determine whether marital status impacts the long-term survival of patients with these malignancies.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was performed. Patients with ocular and periocular malignancies diagnosed between 1973 and 2015 were included. The association between survival and marital status was assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Adjusted covariates included demographic, tumor, and treatment data.

Results

A total of 3159 patients with a mean±SD follow-up period of 6.47±4.62 (range 0–17.9) years were studied. At the time of diagnosis, 63.4% (2004/3159) of the cohort were married, 12.9% (409/3159) were single, 16.3% (514/3159) were widowed, and 7.3% (232/3159) were divorced. The mean±SD age of the cohort was 64.4±15.17 (range 26–100) years, with histology distributed as 14.6% (462/3159) melanoma, 84.5% (2669/3159) lymphoma, and 0.9% (28/3159) plasmacytoma. Adjusted all-cause mortality risk was higher in single (HR, 1.885, 95% CI 1.535 to 2.314; P<0.001), widowed (HR, 1.382, 95% CI 1.169 to 1.635; P<0.001), and divorced (HR, 1.637, 95% CI 1.271 to 2.109; P<0.001) individuals compared to married individuals. Similarly, adjusted cause-specific mortality risk was higher in single (HR, 1.835, 95% CI 1.332 to 2.528; P<0.001), widowed (HR, 1.376, 95% CI 1.025 to 1.847; P=0.033), and divorced (HR, 1.873, 95% CI 1.272 to 2.758; P=0.001) individuals compared to married individuals.

Conclusion

Unmarried (single, widowed, and divorced) individuals with ocular or periocular malignancies have unmet social support needs resulting in poorer long-term outcomes. Understanding the prognostic role of such psychosocial factors is necessary to improve the identification of and care for patients with inadequate support.

Relevance of Vitamin D in Melanoma Development, Progression and Therapy

Melanoma is one of the most lethal types of skin cancer, with a poor prognosis once the disease enters metastasis. The efficacy of currently available treatment schemes for advanced melanomas is low, expensive, and burdened by significant side-effects. Therefore, there is a need to develop new treatment options. Skin cells are able to activate vitamin D via classical and non-classical pathways. Vitamin D derivatives have anticancer properties which promote differentiation and inhibit proliferation. The role of systemic vitamin D in patients with melanoma is unclear as epidemiological studies are not definitive. In contrast, experimental data have clearly shown that vitamin D and its derivatives have anti-melanoma properties. Furthermore, molecular and clinicopathological studies have demonstrated a correlation between defects in vitamin D signaling and progression of melanoma and disease outcome. Therefore, adequate vitamin D signaling can play a role in the treatment of melanoma.

A retrospective review of conjunctival melanoma: Presentation, treatment and evolution

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients diagnosed and treated for conjunctival melanoma in the Ocular Oncology Unit of the University Hospital Clinic of Valladolid.

METHODS

A retrospective observational case series study was conducted on patients diagnosed with conjunctival melanoma in the Ocular Oncology Unit of University Hospital Clinic of Valladolid, from January 1992 to December 2017. Demographic information and tumour features were recorded in a Microsoft Access database.

RESULTS

Among a total of 462 consecutive patients, the tumour was classified as melanocytic in 252 cases (54.5%), with 27 patients having the pathological diagnosis of conjunctival melanoma. The mean age at diagnosis was 59.2years (16-88), and there were 41% males and 59% females, with a mean follow-up of 6.1±6.8years. As regards the origin of conjunctival melanoma, 16 cases (59%) arose from primary acquired melanosis, 26% from nevus, and 15% developed de novo. The treatment performed was incisional or excisional biopsy in all patients, local adjuvant chemotherapy in 15 cases (56%) and brachytherapy in 5 patients (18%). The median survival was 18years and the probability of survival at 5 and 10years was 89% and 69%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Conjunctival melanoma is a rare disease, usually undervalued by the patient as well as being underdiagnosed, leading to insufficient and delayed treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent recurrences and systemic extension, as well as to preserve vision and life.

Hepatic abnormalities identified by staging MRI and accuracy of MRI of patients with uveal melanoma

Background

Metastases to the liver are often the first finding in patients with uveal melanoma with extraocular disease, but little has been published on the utility of staging MRI at initial diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the proportion of abnormal hepatic findings on baseline MRI and accuracy of MRI in patients with newly diagnosed uveal melanoma.

Methods

This is a single-centre, retrospective, institutional review board-approved study of 145 consecutive patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between 2004 and 2016, who had staging MRI within 1 month of diagnosis. Scans were classified as normal or abnormal, and further distinguished as abnormal non-metastatic, uncharacterisable lesions and suspicious for metastasis. Where available, follow-up MRI (at ~1 year) or biopsies were reviewed.

Results

MRI in 145 patients revealed 62% (90) with abnormal hepatic findings; out of these 87% (78) had non-metastatic benign findings, 6.7% (6) had unclassifiable lesions and 6.7% (6) were suspicious for metastasis (6). Abnormal non-metastatic findings included 72 focal (36 solitary and 36 multiple) and 12 diffuse lesions. Lesions suspicious for metastases were found in 6 of 145 patients (4%), despite normal liver function tests. Of these, five had confirmed liver metastases and one patient had a stable, presumed non-metastatic lesion on follow-up. In this study, the sensitivity and specificity of staging MRI for all findings were 83.3% (95% CI 35.9 to 99.6) and 99.0% (95% CI 94.3 to 99.9), respectively.

Conclusion

Staging MRI of patients with newly diagnosed uveal melanoma accurately identified early metastases. Furthermore, imaging revealed hepatic abnormalities in the majority of patients, although as expected few of these represented metastatic disease.

[Adjuvant contact radiotherapy for conjunctival malignancies: Preliminary results of a series of 14 patients treated with the Papillon 50 machine]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of an adjuvant contact irradiation using 50kV photons after resection of conjunctival malignancies.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

From 2012 to 2014, 14 patients (male: nine; female: five) have been treated by contact irradiation after resection of a malignant tumor of the conjunctiva (melanoma: five patients; malignant fibrous histiocytoma: one patient; carcinoma: eight patients) The treatment was performed using the Papillon 50 machine (Ariane). Three to four sessions were delivered, each giving a dose of 10Gy. The median follow-up in survivors was 33 months.

RESULTS

The tolerance was good. A cataract was seen in one patient, and a moderate eye dryness in one. There was no corneal ulcer. One patient died of intercurrent disease. One patient with carcinoma recurred locally.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant contact radiotherapy provides a good local control after resection of conjunctival malignancies (melanoma, malignant histiocytofibroma, carcinoma). Thanks to its precision, this technique is well tolerated with a low rate of complications. Furthermore, it is delivered on an ambulatory basis.

Environmental effects of ozone depletion, UV radiation and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, update 2017

The Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) is one of three Panels of experts that inform the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The EEAP focuses on the effects of UV radiation on human health, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, air quality, and materials, as well as on the interactive effects of UV radiation and global climate change. When considering the effects of climate change, it has become clear that processes resulting in changes in stratospheric ozone are more complex than previously held. Because of the Montreal Protocol, there are now indications of the beginnings of a recovery of stratospheric ozone, although the time required to reach levels like those before the 1960s is still uncertain, particularly as the effects of stratospheric ozone on climate change and vice versa, are not yet fully understood. Some regions will likely receive enhanced levels of UV radiation, while other areas will likely experience a reduction in UV radiation as ozone- and climate-driven changes affect the amounts of UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Like the other Panels, the EEAP produces detailed Quadrennial Reports every four years; the most recent was published as a series of seven papers in 2015 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2015, 14, 1-184). In the years in between, the EEAP produces less detailed and shorter Update Reports of recent and relevant scientific findings. The most recent of these was for 2016 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2017, 16, 107-145). The present 2017 Update Report assesses some of the highlights and new insights about the interactive nature of the direct and indirect effects of UV radiation, atmospheric processes, and climate change. A full 2018 Quadrennial Assessment, will be made available in 2018/2019.

Evaluation of the eighth American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for malignant melanoma of the skin

AIM

To validate the changes among the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) eighth staging system for cutaneous melanoma.

METHODOLOGY

Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database (2004-2014) was queried. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were evaluated according to both AJCC seventh and eighth systems.

RESULTS

Overall survival was assessed according to the two editions and p-values for overall trend were significant (p < 0.001) for all scenarios. Notably for pathologically staged patients, the mean survival for stage IIC was lower than that for stage IIIA and IIIB. Likewise, among clinically staged patients the mean survival for stage IIC was lower than that for stage III (these findings were identical among both editions).

CONCLUSION

AJCC eighth system holds comparable performance to AJCC seventh system.