Conservative treatment using laser diode and systemic chemotherapy for early-stage bilateral retinoblastoma: A 14-year prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Solid evidence of the safety and effectiveness of retinoblastoma (RB) conservative treatment using thermotherapy and systemic chemotherapy with long-term follow-up is scarce, especially in low-resource countries.

AIMS

This study examined the outcomes of this treatment and associated predictors in Vietnam to strengthen the current RB treatment protocol focusing on preserving eye and vision in low-resource settings.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A prospective cohort study was conducted at Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital in Vietnam from 2005 to 2019. All eligible patients with bilateral RB (one eye already removed and another eye classified as group A or B) and without previous treatment were recruited. All patients received thermotherapy and six cycles of systemic three-agent chemotherapy repeated every 4 weeks. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information on study participants' age, symptoms, tumor characteristics, treatment, and outcomes. Among 50 eyes of all 50 patients with a median age of 9 (4-20) months, 34 eyes were in group B (68%). The median follow-up time was 60 (60-84) months. All 139 preserved tumors regressed mostly to type 4 (70.4%) and type 3 (23.7%) scars. Kaplan-Meier analysis found the overall globe-salvage rate at 5 years of 91.9% (95% CI: 80.1%-97.7%). Most eyes (41/50, 82%, 95% CI: 69.2%-90.2%) had a final visual acuity ≥0.1. The visual acuity is higher when tumors regressed to a type 4 scar (p = .007, AOR = 8.098, 95% CI: 1.79-36.53) which also shows less enucleation than a type 3 scar (p = .002, AOR = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.37%). Gender effect on visual acuity after treatment was significant and may be due to discrimination. No major complications were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Conservative treatment of early-stage RB is safe and effective. Long-term, thorough follow-ups of patients post-treatment are needed. The regression patterns of scars could be a useful indicator of treatment failure.

Treatment adherence in retinoblastoma: A retro-prospective cohort study in Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo

BACKGROUND

In high-income countries, retinoblastoma is curable in more than 95% of cases, whereas in low-income countries, mortality remains high, especially when the diagnosis is made late or the treatment is discontinued.

AIMS

To determine the factors associated with adherence to the treatment of retinoblastoma in the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A retro-prospective cohort study was carried out. Data were collected from patient folders and follow-up records of parents.

RESULTS

A total of 175 children with retinoblastoma were registered from January 2013 to December 2015. Seventy-six children (43%) were 5 years old and above. Care costs were covered by families in 86.9% of cases. Chemotherapy refusal was recorded in 39 cases (22.3%), and enucleation refusal was recorded in 79 cases (45.1%). After 36 months of follow-up, we recorded 16.6% deaths, 27.4% treatment dropouts, and 18.3% loss to follow-up after treatment. The commonest cause for enucleation refusal was fear of infirmity, while chemotherapy refusal and absconding treatment were due to financial constraints.

CONCLUSION

Poor adherence to retinoblastoma management was due to financial constraints, and a lack of knowledge of the disease and its treatment. Family psychosocial support is needed to improve this condition.

Evaluating the baseline survival outcomes of the "six Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer index cancers" in Africa

Limited survival data for the six Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) priority cancers are available in Africa. Management of pediatric malignancies in Africa is challenging due to lack of resources, setting-specific comorbidities, high rates of late presentation and treatment abandonment. Reporting of outcome data is problematic due to the lack of registries. With the aim of evaluating the feasibility of baseline outcomes for the six index cancers, we present a descriptive analysis of respective survival rates in Africa. The survival rates were between 18% (lower middle-income countries) to 82.3% (upper middle-income countries) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, between 26.9% (low-income countries) to 77.9% (upper middle-income countries) for nephroblastoma, between 23% (low-income countries) to 100% (upper middle-income countries), for retinoblastoma, 45% (low-income countries) to 95% (upper middle-income countries) for Hodgkin lymphoma and 28% (low-income countries) to 76% (upper middle-income countries) for Burkitt lymphoma. Solutions to improve survival rates and reported outcomes include establishing and funding sustainable registries, training and to actively include all countries in consortia from different African regions.HighlightsContinental differences in childhood cancer management such lack of resources, setting-specific comorbidities, high rates of late presentation and treatment abandonment, present challenges to the achievement of Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer goals.The available data registries do not adequately inform on the true incidences and outcomes of childhood cancers in Africa.The pathophysiology of some childhood cancers in Africa are associated with high-risk prognostic factors.Outcomes can be improved by greater regional collaboration to manage childhood cancer based on local resources and tumor characteristics.Some individual countries have reached the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer goals for single cancers and it should be possible for more African countries to follow suit.

The Global Retinoblastoma Outcome Study: a prospective, cluster-based analysis of 4064 patients from 149 countries

Background

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular cancer worldwide. There is some evidence to suggest that major differences exist in treatment outcomes for children with retinoblastoma from different regions, but these differences have not been assessed on a global scale. We aimed to report 3-year outcomes for children with retinoblastoma globally and to investigate factors associated with survival.

Methods

We did a prospective cluster-based analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed between Jan 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 2017, then treated and followed up for 3 years. Patients were recruited from 260 specialised treatment centres worldwide. Data were obtained from participating centres on primary and additional treatments, duration of follow-up, metastasis, eye globe salvage, and survival outcome. We analysed time to death and time to enucleation with Cox regression models.

Findings

The cohort included 4064 children from 149 countries. The median age at diagnosis was 23·2 months (IQR 11·0–36·5). Extraocular tumour spread (cT4 of the cTNMH classification) at diagnosis was reported in five (0·8%) of 636 children from high-income countries, 55 (5·4%) of 1027 children from upper-middle-income countries, 342 (19·7%) of 1738 children from lower-middle-income countries, and 196 (42·9%) of 457 children from low-income countries. Enucleation surgery was available for all children and intravenous chemotherapy was available for 4014 (98·8%) of 4064 children. The 3-year survival rate was 99·5% (95% CI 98·8–100·0) for children from high-income countries, 91·2% (89·5–93·0) for children from upper-middle-income countries, 80·3% (78·3–82·3) for children from lower-middle-income countries, and 57·3% (52·1-63·0) for children from low-income countries. On analysis, independent factors for worse survival were residence in low-income countries compared to high-income countries (hazard ratio 16·67; 95% CI 4·76–50·00), cT4 advanced tumour compared to cT1 (8·98; 4·44–18·18), and older age at diagnosis in children up to 3 years (1·38 per year; 1·23–1·56). For children aged 3–7 years, the mortality risk decreased slightly (p=0·0104 for the change in slope).

Interpretation

This study, estimated to include approximately half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017, shows profound inequity in survival of children depending on the national income level of their country of residence. In high-income countries, death from retinoblastoma is rare, whereas in low-income countries estimated 3-year survival is just over 50%. Although essential treatments are available in nearly all countries, early diagnosis and treatment in low-income countries are key to improving survival outcomes.

Funding

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

A high-risk retinoblastoma subtype with stemness features, dedifferentiated cone states and neuronal/ganglion cell gene expression

Retinoblastoma is the most frequent intraocular malignancy in children, originating from a maturing cone precursor in the developing retina. Little is known on the molecular basis underlying the biological and clinical behavior of this cancer. Here, using multi-omics data, we demonstrate the existence of two retinoblastoma subtypes. Subtype 1, of earlier onset, includes most of the heritable forms. It harbors few genetic alterations other than the initiating RB1 inactivation and corresponds to differentiated tumors expressing mature cone markers. By contrast, subtype 2 tumors harbor frequent recurrent genetic alterations including MYCN-amplification. They express markers of less differentiated cone together with neuronal/ganglion cell markers with marked inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. The cone dedifferentiation in subtype 2 is associated with stemness features including low immune and interferon response, E2F and MYC/MYCN activation and a higher propensity for metastasis. The recognition of these two subtypes, one maintaining a cone-differentiated state, and the other, more aggressive, associated with cone dedifferentiation and expression of neuronal markers, opens up important biological and clinical perspectives for retinoblastomas.

Total orbital exenteration with temporalis muscle transfer and secondary healing

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcomes of orbital exenteration with temporalis muscle flap repair of the socket and secondary healing of the anterior surface of the flap in ocular, conjunctival, and eyelid malignancies.

DESIGN

Retrospective single-centre study.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive patients who underwent total exenteration for malignancy with temporal muscle flap repair of the socket between December 2009 and January 2016.

METHODS

We report the outcomes of this surgical technique in terms of healing without fistula formation and time to epithelialization.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients underwent surgery using this technique. Diagnoses consisted of 18 conjunctival melanomas, 2 choroidal melanomas, 6 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 sebaceous cell carcinomas, and 1 basal cell carcinoma. Mean age at surgery was 70.7 years and mean follow-up was 27.4 months. On histological analysis, tumour excision was complete in 25 patients, of whom 3 had an orbital recurrence after exenteration (3 conjunctival melanomas). Four patients had incomplete tumour excision, of whom 3 underwent postoperative orbital radiotherapy with no subsequent orbital recurrences. Complete epithelialization of the socket occurred in mean 7.9 weeks (range 2-16 weeks). Flap necrosis occurred in 1 patient after postoperative radiotherapy (with sino-nasal fistula formation); 2 other patients developed sino-orbital fistulas.

CONCLUSION

After orbital exenteration, spontaneous epithelialization of the socket may take up to several months. Use of a temporalis muscle flap can reduce the duration of socket healing postoperatively, even if left to heal by secondary intention. This may facilitate early postoperative radiotherapy when indicated. Aesthetic results are acceptable and local surgical complications are rare.

Prospective phase II study of children affected by bilateral intraocular retinoblastoma with macular involvement of both eyes or in the only preserved eye. Macular tumor control, eye preservation rate, and visual outcome

BACKGROUND

Conservative treatments of intraocular retinoblastoma often consist of chemotherapy and focal treatments. The protocols vary and currently may combine two or three drugs, with different number of cycles, associated to the ocular treatments. In case of macular/paramacular involvement, tumor location and retinal scars induced by focal treatments often have a major negative impact on final visual outcome.

METHODS

This study aimed to include children affected by bilateral intraocular macular/paramacular retinoblastoma in a prospective phase II study. The protocol consisted of six cycles of a three-drug combination (vincristine, etoposide, carboplatin), and the addition of macula-sparing transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) to the third cycle. The primary endpoint was the local control rate without external beam radiotherapy (EBR) and/or enucleation.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (26 eyes) were included from July 2004 to November 2009. Thirteen eyes belonged to group V of the Reese-Ellsworth classification and 10 to group D of the International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification. Macular/paramacular tumors were treated with chemotherapy alone in nine eyes, and with chemotherapy associated with macula-sparing TTT in 17 eyes. Four eyes experienced macular relapse. At a median follow up of 77 months, 23 eyes (88.5%) were saved without EBR, two were enucleated and one received EBR. The median visual acuity of the 24 saved eyes was 20/50. No severe adverse effect was observed.

CONCLUSION

Six cycles of a three-drug combination associated with macula-sparing TTT achieved good tumor control, improved eye preservation rates without EBR, and decreased macular damage, often providing satisfactory visual results with long-term follow up.

Travel burden and clinical presentation of retinoblastoma: analysis of 1024 patients from 43 African countries and 518 patients from 40 European countries

BACKGROUND

The travel distance from home to a treatment centre, which may impact the stage at diagnosis, has not been investigated for retinoblastoma, the most common childhood eye cancer. We aimed to investigate the travel burden and its impact on clinical presentation in a large sample of patients with retinoblastoma from Africa and Europe.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis including 518 treatment-naïve patients with retinoblastoma residing in 40 European countries and 1024 treatment-naïve patients with retinoblastoma residing in 43 African countries.

RESULTS

Capture rate was 42.2% of expected patients from Africa and 108.8% from Europe. African patients were older (95% CI -12.4 to -5.4, p<0.001), had fewer cases of familial retinoblastoma (95% CI 2.0 to 5.3, p<0.001) and presented with more advanced disease (95% CI 6.0 to 9.8, p<0.001); 43.4% and 15.4% of Africans had extraocular retinoblastoma and distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis, respectively, compared to 2.9% and 1.0% of the Europeans. To reach a retinoblastoma centre, European patients travelled 421.8 km compared to Africans who travelled 185.7 km (p<0.001). On regression analysis, lower-national income level, African residence and older age (p<0.001), but not travel distance (p=0.19), were risk factors for advanced disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Fewer than half the expected number of patients with retinoblastoma presented to African referral centres in 2017, suggesting poor awareness or other barriers to access. Despite the relatively shorter distance travelled by African patients, they presented with later-stage disease. Health education about retinoblastoma is needed for carers and health workers in Africa in order to increase capture rate and promote early referral.

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level

Importance

Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale.

Objectives

To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis.

Results

The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs.

Craniofacial second primary tumors in patients with germline retinoblastoma previously treated with external beam radiotherapy: A retrospective institutional analysis

BACKGROUND

The long-term survival of germline retinoblastoma patients is decreased due to the risk of second primary tumors (SPTs) that occur years after the diagnosis of retinoblastoma. This risk is related to genetic predisposition and other factors, such as the treatment of retinoblastoma by external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

PROCEDURE

We studied the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of specific craniofacial SPTs developed within the margins of radiation field in a cohort of 209 patients with germline retinoblastoma treated with EBRT at our institution between 1977 and 2010. Clinical characteristics, survival, incidence, and histology of craniofacial SPTs were recorded.

RESULTS

Fifty-three of the 209 patients developed 60 distinct craniofacial SPTs in irradiated field with a median time from EBRT of 16.9 years (4-35) and a median follow-up of 24.8 years (5.3-40). Osteosarcoma (33.3%) and undifferentiated sarcoma (23.3%) were the more prevalent histological entities. Benign tumors (16.7%) also occurred. The cumulative incidence of craniofacial SPTs reached 32.6% at 35 years after EBRT, and the median survival after diagnosis was five years. In our series, irradiation under 12 months of age, bilateral EBRT, or previous treatment of retinoblastoma with chemotherapy did not significantly increase the risk of craniofacial SPTs.

CONCLUSIONS

This work presents a strong argument to avoid EBRT in the management of retinoblastoma and emphasizes the high risk and poor prognosis of specific craniofacial SPTs. This study also points to the question of the need and benefits of special programs for early detection of craniofacial SPTs in survivors of irradiated germline retinoblastoma.

Management of advanced uni- or bilateral retinoblastoma with macroscopic optic nerve invasion

BACKGROUND

Retinoblastoma with macroscopic optic nerve (ON) invasion depicted by imaging at diagnosis remains a major problem and carries a poor prognosis. We sought to describe the treatment and outcome of these high-risk patients.

METHODS

Retrospective mono-institutional clinical, radiological, and histological review of patients with uni- or bilateral retinoblastoma with obvious ON invasion, defined by radiological optic nerve enlargement (RONE) depicted by computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), was performed.

RESULTS

Between 1997 and 2014, among the 936 patients with retinoblastoma treated at Institut Curie, 11 had detectable RONE. Retinoblastoma was unilateral in 10 and bilateral in one. Median age at diagnosis was 28 months (range, 11-96). ON enlargement extended to the orbital portion in three patients, to the optic canal in five, to the prechiasmatic portion in two, and to the optic chiasm in one. Nine patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and partial response was obtained in all. Enucleation was performed in 10/11 patients-by an anterior approach in three and by anterior and subfrontal approaches in seven. Three patients had a positive ON resection margin (2/3 after primary enucleation). All enucleated patients received adjuvant treatment (conventional chemotherapy: 10, high-dose chemotherapy: seven, radiotherapy: five). Leptomeningeal progression occurred in four patients. Seven are in first complete remission (median follow up: 8 years [3.5-19.4]).

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and microscopic complete resection have a pivotal role in the management of retinoblastoma with RONE. MRI is recommended for initial and pre-operative accurate staging. Surgery should be performed by neurosurgeons in case of posterior nerve invasion. Radiotherapy is required in case of incomplete resection.

Long-Term Visual Outcomes for Small Uveal Melanoma Staged T1 Treated by Proton Beam Radiotherapy

There is increasing evidence of the survival benefit of treating uveal melanoma in an early stage, however it is important to discuss with the patient the associated risk of visual loss. We investigated visual outcomes for uveal melanomas staged T1 (T1UM) treated by proton beam radiotherapy (PBR) as a function of their distance to fovea-optic disc. This retrospective study included a cohort of 424 patients with T1UM treated with PBR between 1991 and 2010 with at least a 5-year follow-up. Visual acuity (VA) was analyzed for patients with posterior edge of tumor located at ≥3 mm (GSup3) or <3 mm (GInf3) from fovea-optic disc. The mean follow-up duration was 122 months, no tumor recurrence was observed. The mean baseline and final VA were 20/25 and 20/32 for GSup3 (n = 75), and 20/40 and 20/80 for GInf3 (n = 317) respectively. The frequency of a 20/200 or greater visual conservation was 93.2%(CI95%:87.7-99.1) and 60.1%(CI95%:54.9-65.9) for GSup3 and GInf3 respectively. This difference between groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The risk factors for significant VA loss (less than 20/200) were GInf3 location (p < 0.001), tumor touching optic disc (p = 0.04), initial VA inferior to 20/40 (p < 0.001), documented growth (p = 0.002), and age greater than 60 years (p < 0.001). In summary, PBR for T1UM yields excellent tumor control and good long-term visual outcomes for tumors located ≥3 mm from fovea-optic disc.

The Small Fatal Choroidal Melanoma Study. A Survey by the European Ophthalmic Oncology Group

PURPOSE

To determine the size at which choroidal melanomas can metastasize and to report the characteristics of small fatal choroidal melanomas (SFCM).

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Ten ocular oncology services submitted 45 patients with a choroidal melanoma 3 mm or less in thickness and 9 mm or less in largest basal diameter (LBD), when treated, who developed metastases.

RESULTS

Median tumor thickness was 2.4 mm (range, 1.0-3.0 mm) and LBD 7.3 mm (range, 3.0-9.0 mm). Of 14 (31%) tumors that were first observed, 12 grew a median of 0.5 mm (range, 0.1-1.2 mm) in thickness and 1.0 mm (range, 0-3.0 mm) in LBD within a median of 7 months; 3 were initially smaller than 3 mm in LBD. Number of risk factors for growth and metastasis was 0 for 4% of the tumors; 60% were over 2 mm in thickness, 63% had subretinal fluid, 84% caused symptoms, 57% had orange pigment, and 92% were within 3 mm of the disc. Local recurrence occurred in 8 of 31 eyes (26%) treated conservatively. Median metastasis-free survival was 4.5 years (range, 0.8-15.7 years). Kaplan-Meier estimate of metastasis developing was 15% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7-26), 51% (95% CI, 36-64) and 85% (95% CI, 71-92) by 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively. By the time of analysis, 37 patients had died of metastasis after a median of 7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Choroidal melanomas less than 3.0 mm in LBD are highly unlikely to metastasize. Risk factors of an SFCM are similar to those for all choroidal melanomas of similar size.

Diffuse Iris Melanoma: Conservative Treatment with Proton Beam Therapy after Limbal Stem Cell Preservation or Enucleation?

Objectives

Iris melanomas represent 2-3% of uveal melanomas; the diffuse variant accounts for approximately 10% of all iris melanomas. Different treatment modalities for diffuse iris melanomas (DIM) have been proposed depending on the local status as well as the age and general condition of the patient.

Methods

This study is a single-centre retrospective case series describing the diagnosis, treatments and outcomes of DIM. Treatment consisted of enucleation or proton beam therapy (PT) of the whole anterior segment. Patients who were treated with PT benefitted from limbal stem cell preservation before irradiation.

Results

Between 1996 and 2016, a total of 14 patients with DIM presented to our institution and were included in the database. The global survival was 86%. The median follow-up was 4.6 years (range 4 months to 15 years). Only 1 patient (7%) developed metastatic disease of the DIM (gastric location). No patient developed liver metastasis. Seven patients were treated by enucleation and 7 by PT after limbal stem cell preservation. After a conservative attempt, local tumour recurrence occurred in 2 patients at 2 years, requiring enucleation. The cornea was clear after irradiation in all patients. Cataract (n = 6) and glaucoma (n = 4) were the main complications after irradiation.

Conclusions

DIM is a very rare tumour. The global survival is excellent. Conservative treatment with PT is an efficient alternative to enucleation and allows good local tumour control. Cataract and glaucoma are the main radiation-related complications, but the corneal status was excellent due to the stem cell harvest prior to radiotherapy.

Iris melanoma relapsing sixteen years after proton-beam therapy: The importance of lifelong follow-up

Purpose

To report a case of locally recurrent spindle-cell iris amelanotic melanoma 16 years after proton-beam therapy.

Observations

In 2001, a 45-year-old man presented with an amelanotic iris melanoma, extending from the 5 to 10 o'clock positions on his left eye. High-frequency ultrasonography showed extension of melanoma into the ciliary body. He was initially managed with proton-beam therapy (60 Gy delivered in four fractions over four consecutive days) and underwent ocular and systemic examination at regular intervals over the following years. Local tumor control was achieved, and the patient did not develop metastasis during sixteen consecutive years. In 2017, 16 years after he received proton-beam therapy, the patient developed a focal amelanotic lesion strongly suggestive of a local recurrence of iris melanoma, although it extended from the 1 to 6 o'clock positions. He also presented with treatment-resistant glaucoma with an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 37 mmHg, despite maximal topical IOP-lowering therapy. Since a second irradiation of the anterior segment was contraindicated, the eye was enucleated. Pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of iris melanoma and demonstrated iridocorneal angle invasion extending from the initial site to the recurrent tumor location.

Conclusions and importance

Regular ophthalmological surveillance for life with gonioscopy and high-frequency ultrasonography is recommended in patients with iris melanoma, due to the possibility of delayed local recurrence more than a decade after the initial treatment.

Proceedings of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and Champalimaud Foundation Ocular Oncogenesis and Oncology Conference

The 2018 Ocular Oncogenesis and Oncology Conference was held through a partnership of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and the Champalimaud Foundation. Twenty-one experts from international ocular oncology centers, from the Champalimaud Clinical Centre and the Champalimaud Foundation Cancer Research Program, and from patient advocacy organizations, delivered lectures on subjects that ranged from global ocular oncology, to basic research in mechanisms of ocular malignancy, to clinical research in ocular cancers, and to anticipated future developments in the area. The scientific program of the conference covered a broad range of ocular tumors-including uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, ocular surface tumors, and adnexal and intraocular lymphomas-and pathogenesis and management were deliberated in the context of the broader systemic cancer discipline. In considering the latest basic and clinical research developments in ocular oncogenesis and oncology, and providing the opportunity for cross-talk between ocular cancer biologists, systemic cancer biologists, ocular oncologists, systemic oncologists, patients, and patient advocates, the forum generated new knowledge and novel insights for the field. This report summarizes the content of the invited talks at the 2018 ARVO-Champalimaud Foundation Ocular Oncogenesis and Oncology Conference.

An Unsupervised Smart App-Optimized HIV Self-Testing Program in Montreal, Canada: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Although HIV self-testing strategies have been recommended by the World Health Organization, HIV self-tests are not yet approved in Canada. Currently approved HIV self-tests offer toll-free lines that are insufficient for initiating expedited linkages to counseling and care, accurate interpretation, and support during HIV self-testing. We developed an innovative, multilingual software app called HIVSmart! to plug these gaps.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to test our app-optimized oral HIV self-testing strategy for feasibility in men who have sex with men (MSM) who presented to test at a large sexual health clinic (Clinique Médicale L'Actuel) in Montreal.

METHODS

Between July 2016 and February 2017, we offered a strategy consisting of the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test (an investigational device) and a tablet installed with the HIVSmart! app to study participants, who presented at a private office in the clinic, mimicking an unsupervised home environment. We evaluated the strategy for its feasibility, acceptability, and preference. Using the HIVSmart! app, participants were guided through the self-testing process. We determined feasibility with a metric defined as the completion rate, which consisted of the following 3 steps: (1) self-test conduct; (2) self-test interpretation; and (3) linkages to care. Participants independently performed, interpreted, recorded their self-test and result, engaged in pre- and posttest counseling, and sought linkages to care. Laboratory tests (p24, Western Blot, and RNA), as per country algorithms, were expedited, and linkages based on the rapid test status were arranged.

RESULTS

Mean age of the 451 participants enrolled was 34 (range, 18-73) years. Of all participants, 97.1% (438/451) completed and submitted the survey through the HIVSmart! app. In total, 84.7% (371/438) of the participants were well educated (beyond high school) and 52.5% (230/438) had been tested within the past 6 months. Of the 451, 11.5% (52/451) were on pre-exposure prophylaxis. Feasibility (completion rate), an average proportion of the 3 steps, was computed to be 96.6% (419/451). The acceptability of the strategy was high at 98.5% (451/458). A majority of the participants (448/451, 99.3%) were found to be self-tested and lab-confirmed negative and were counseled after self- and rapid tests. In total, 0.7% (3/451) of the participants who self-tested positive and were lab-confirmed positive were linked to a physician within the same day. Furthermore, 98.8% (417/422) of the participants found the app to be useful and 94.0% (424/451) were willing to recommend it to a friend or partner.

CONCLUSIONS

The HIVSmart! app-optimized strategy was feasible, accepted, and preferred by an educated, urban MSM population of Montreal. With the app, participants were able to perform, interpret, store results, and get rapidly linked to care. The HIVSmart!-optimized, self-testing strategy could be adapted and contextualized to many at-risk populations within Canada and worldwide, thereby maximizing its public health impact.

Malignant Transformation of a Multi-Operated Divided Nevus of the Eyelids

A woman in her early fifties had regular follow-up for a medium-sized divided nevus of the eyelids which had undergone several surgical excisions during childhood for functional and esthetic reasons. Malignant transformation of the nevus occurred in the inferior eyelid, with the appearance of a new pigmented flat lesion. Histology showed in situ melanoma, and an NRAS activating mutation was found. A full-thickness excision of the inferior eyelid was performed, followed by reconstruction. Local recurrence of the melanoma occurred 1 year after surgery. Lifelong follow-up of divided nevi of the eyelids is recommended, even if very few cases of malignant transformation have been reported so far.

[Management of uveal melanomas, guidelines for oncologists]

Uveal melanomas are the most frequent primary malignant eye tumor. Enucleation was historically the gold standard. Since then, several studies showed that conservative treatments did not increase the risk of metastasis or survival. Choroidal melanomas are both radioresistant and located close to visual structures (the optic nerve and macula) of the eye, which may be preserved in some settings without compromising tumor control, as this is the first priority. Different types of radiation therapy may be used for such tumors: brachytherapy and charged particles, including proton beam therapy. If visual prognosis is dependent to the local treatment, the vital prognosis is dependent on the metastatic risk, with a risk of liver involvement in 20 to 50% of patients, depending on tumor size and genomics. Median survival after the discovery of liver metastases is about 15 months. The management of these patients is often complex. Systemic therapies (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, etc.) yield limited response rates and although local treatments of liver metastases are promising, they are only feasible in selected patients. The mission of the MELACHONAT national network is to improve the management of patients regardless of the stage of the disease. The patient association ANPACO is dedicated to help uveal melanoma patients in their health care path and to promote knowledge dissemination within the patient community. The aim of this review is to focus on the local treatments of uveal melanomas as well as the management of their metastatic evolution.

Retinoblastoma in Sub-Saharan Africa: Case Studies of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

PURPOSE

In most low-income countries, the diagnosis of retinoblastoma is delayed, resulting in a severe prognosis. The objectives of this study were to describe the access to diagnosis and care of children diagnosed with retinoblastoma and the challenges in two sub-Saharan African countries: the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected from the medical records of patients admitted during the period of January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi Info7.1 software and SAS 9.3.

RESULTS

One hundred sixteen cases of retinoblastoma were collected, including 60 boys and 56 girls. The median diagnosis age was 3 years for both countries. Ninety-eight patients (84%) had unilateral retinoblastoma. Most of the patients presented with advanced disease (76% had extraocular retinoblastoma). Median time between initial symptoms and diagnosis was 8.5 months (range, 0.4 to 116.7 months). Median time between diagnosis and treatment initiation was 31 days (range, 0 to 751 days). The median cost for the treatment of the disease was estimated at $1,954 per patient.

CONCLUSION

Late diagnosis of retinoblastoma, with extraocular disease, occurs frequently in both African countries. It is associated with delay in initiating treatment, and the cost of the treatment remains unaffordable for most of the families. Support groups for parents of affected children and the support of the Franco-African Pediatric Oncology Group remain important in improving early diagnosis and providing treatment in sub-Saharan African countries.

Replacement and desmoplastic histopathological growth patterns: A pilot study of prediction of outcome in patients with uveal melanoma liver metastases

Up to 50% of uveal melanomas (UM) metastasise to the liver within 10 years of diagnosis, and these almost always prove rapidly fatal. As histopathological growth patterns (HGPs) of liver metastases of the replacement and desmoplastic type, particularly from colon and breast carcinoma, may import valuable biological and prognostic information, we have studied HGP in a series of 41 UM liver metastases originating from 41 patients from the period 2006–2017. Twenty patients underwent enucleation while 21 had radiation therapy. Analysis of UM by array comparative genomic hybridisation revealed: 25 (64%) patients with high risk (monosomy3/8q gain); 13 (33%) intermediate risk (M3/8normal or disomy3/8q gain); and 1 low risk (disomy3/8normal). The principal HGP was replacement in 30 (73%) cases and desmoplastic in 11 (27%) cases. Cases with replacement demonstrated striking vascular co‐option/angiotropism. With the development of liver metastasis, only the replacement pattern, largest primary tumour diameter, and R2 (incomplete resection) status predicted diminished overall survival (OS; p < 0.041, p < 0.017, p < 0.047, respectively). On multivariate analysis, only HGP (hazard ratio; HR = 6.51, p = 0.008) and resection status remained significant. The genomic high‐risk variable had no prognostic value at this stage of liver metastasis. Chi‐square test showed no association of HGP with monosomy 3 or 8q gain. Eighteen of 41 (44%) patients are alive with disease and 23 (56%) patients died with follow‐up ranging from 12 to 318 months (mean: 70 months, median: 47 months). In conclusion, we report for the first time the frequency of the replacement and desmoplastic HGPs in liver UM metastases resected from living patients, and their potential important prognostic value for UM patients, as in other solid cancers. These results may potentially be utilised to develop radiological correlates and therapeutic targets for following and treating patients with UM metastases.

Treatment of retinoblastoma in Sub-Saharan Africa: Experience of the paediatric oncology unit at Gabriel Toure Teaching Hospital and the Institute of African Tropical Ophthalmology, Bamako, Mali

BACKGROUND

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common intraocular primary malignancy in children. In industrialised countries, the cure rate is about 95%. We present the results of a prospective study on the management of Rb in the paediatric oncology unit of Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital and African Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology, from November 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015.

PROCEDURE

The aims of this prospective study were to evaluate the treatment of localised Rb, ocular prosthesis after enucleation, conservative management for bilateral Rb as well as survival rates in all patients. Patients with early stage Rb at diagnosis were included. The treatment was performed according to the retinoblastoma treatment guidelines of the French-African Paediatric Oncology Group.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients were included in the study. Sex ratio was 1:1 (M = 44, F = 44). Median age at diagnosis was 3 years (range: 2 months-5 years). Unilateral intraocular Rb was predominant (n = 50; 56.8%). Conservative treatments were performed on nine eyes in nine patients. Overall survival and event-free survival of the entire cohort at the end of 4 years were 73% (95% CI 60.8-81.2%) and 59% (95% CI 47.9-69.5%), respectively, with a median follow-up of 3.7 years (0.1-5.6 years). In conclusion, early enucleation in early stage of Rb can improve outcomes in resource-limited countries. Delayed enucleation and refusal of adherence to treatment are still major concerns and remain a barrier to improving overall patient survival.

Outcomes after surgical resection of lower eyelid tumors and reconstruction using a nasal chondromucosal graft and an upper eyelid myocutaneous flap

INTRODUCTION

Surgical excision of large malignant lower eyelid tumors may cause important full-thickness eyelid defects. The reconstruction of such defects must restore the physiologic function of the eyelid and also re-establish an acceptable aesthetic result.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We report the outcomes of full-thickness excision of tumors extending over half of the horizontal lid length, followed by reconstruction using a nasal chondromucosal graft (coming from the ipsilateral ala of the nose) and an upper eyelid myocutaneous flap. Histological analysis of the specimen identified the tumor type and surgical margins for each patient.

RESULTS

A total of 25 patients were operated using this reconstruction technique between March 2009 and June 2015: 17 basal cell carcinomas, 3 spindle cell carcinomas and 5 conjunctival melanomas (out of which 2 were associated with lentigo maligna). Mean duration of follow-up after surgery was respectively 36, 41 and 17 months for each of these 3 tumor types. We found a single local tumor recurrence and this was a basal cell carcinoma in a xeroderma pigmentosum patient. After surgery, none of the patients had lagophthalmos or ocular surface complications. Only 4 patients had a 1mm scleral show postoperatively; 3 other patients developed a small retraction of the eyelid after adjuvant radiotherapy and a 1mm scleral show occurred.

CONCLUSION

In malignant tumors, complete surgical excision with histological margins adapted to tumor type prevents local recurrence in most cases. Our repair strategy of nasal chondromucosal graft and skin-muscle flap for large inferior eyelid defects provides good functional and aesthetic results.

Iterative Variance Stabilizing Transformation Denoising of Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Images Applied to Retinoblastoma

BACKGROUND

Due to the presence of speckle Poisson noise, the interpretation of spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images frequently requires the use of data averaging to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. This implies long acquisition times and requires patient sedation in some cases. Iterative variance stabilizing transformation (VST) is a possible approach by which to remove speckle Poisson noise on single images.

METHODS

We used SD-OCT images of human and murine (LH Beta-Tag mouse model) retinas with and without retinoblastoma acquired with 2 different imaging devices (Bioptigen and Micron IV). These images were processed using a denoising workflow implemented in Matlab.

RESULTS

We demonstrated the presence of speckle Poisson noise, which can be removed by a VST-based approach. This approach is robust as it works in all used imaging devices and in both human and mouse retinas, independently of the tumor status. The implemented algorithm is freely available from the authors on demand.

CONCLUSIONS

On a single denoised image, the proposed method provides results similar to those expected from the SD-OCT averaging. Because of the friendly user interface, it can be easily used by clinicians and researchers in ophthalmology.

Can an HIVSmart! App-optimized Self-Testing Strategy be Operationalized in Canada?

Background

Although HIV self-tests are recommended by the WHO, they are not yet approved in Canada. Service delivery gaps such as linkages to counseling and care remain unachieved by offering self-tests without adequate support. In this first Canadian study, we evaluated the feasibility of operationalizing an innovative HIVSmart! app-optimized oral HIV self-testing strategy in men who have sex with men (MSM), presenting at a large sexual health clinic in Montreal.

Methods

Between July 2016 to February 2017, participants were offered the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, and a tablet installed with the HIVSmart! app, at a private office in the clinic to simulate an unsupervised home environment. With the HIVSmart! app, participants independently performed and interpreted self-tests, and were linked to in-person post-test counseling and care. Self-test results were confirmed by laboratory tests (p24, Western Blot, RNA as needed).

Results

The mean age of the 451 participants was 34 years (18–73); 85% were well educated (beyond high school, n = 371/438); 53% (230/438) were frequent testers (past 6 months), and 13% were on PrEP (52/451). 99% (417/422) of participants found the HIVSmart! app helpful in guiding them through the self-testing procedure; 93% (418/451) of participants interpreted their tests accurately; and 94% (395/419) stated they would recommend the app-optimized self-testing strategy to their partners. Feasibility (completion rate of self-testing) was 93% (419/451), and acceptability of the strategy was high at 99% (451/458). All HIV self-test negative participants (448/451, 100%) were counseled following the self-test. Three participants self-tested positive, were confirmed HIV positive (0.7% prevalence), and were rapidly linked to care with a physician.

Conclusion

The HIVSmart! app-optimized strategy was feasible, and highly accepted by an educated, frequently testing, urban MSM population of Montréal. With the app, participants were able to interpret their test results accurately and were rapidly linked to care. Innovations like HIVSmart! which engage, aid, and facilitate linkages to care, can be adapted to suit the needs of many populations in Canada and internationally, maximizing global impact through reverse innovation.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography of Macular Features After Proton Beam Radiotherapy for Small Choroidal Melanoma

PURPOSE

To describe the macular features of patients treated with proton beam therapy for choroidal melanoma (CM), using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study.

METHODS

This study included patients treated with proton beam radiotherapy (PBR) for a small CM. Only patients who had received 100% of the dose of 60 Gy external beam radiation to the macular area were included in the analysis. All the patients had undergone a full ophthalmologic examination, including visual acuity, optical coherence tomography B-scan, and OCTA. Qualitative and quantitative vascular features of the retinal plexus and the choriocapillaris were analyzed on OCTA and compared with those in healthy subjects matched on age and sex.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients had undergone an OCTA after PBR for a small CM. Seventeen patients (9 men and 8 women) were included. The mean age of the patients was 56.6 years (range, 28-86). At presentation, the mean tumor thickness was 3.39 mm (range, 1.3-7.0 mm). The mean follow-up duration was 35.8 months (range, 11-72 months). Thirteen patients (76.5%) had a clinical radiation maculopathy; 8 patients (47.1%) had macular cysts on OCT-B scan. All patients (100%) had abnormalities on OCTA. Some "signal void" spots were detected at the level of the choriocapillaris in 15 patients (88.2%). The mean vascular density (regarding the full retina) was significantly lower in the patients treated with PBR than in healthy subjects (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Patients treated with PBR for CM (with 100% of the dose given to the macula) present major changes at both plexuses but also a vascular rarefaction of the choriocapillaris.

Eye Salvage with Combination of Intravitreal and Intracameral Melphalan Injection for Recurrent Retinoblastoma with Anterior Chamber Involvement: Report of a Case

AIMS

Herein we report successful eye salvage following combined intravitreal and intracameral administration of melphalan for anterior chamber recurrence of retinoblastoma.

METHODS

A 12-month-old boy was referred with a sporadic bilateral retinoblastoma staged as group D and V in the right eye and group E and V in the left eye. Treatment initially involved 6 cycles of 3 drugs followed by focal treatments. The left eye was enucleated. Three months after the end of systemic chemotherapy, multiple recurrent lesions were noted in the ciliary body and the anterior chamber. A series of intravitreal (IVT) and intracameral (IC) injections of melphalan combined with a 7th cycle of systemic chemotherapy was performed. The therapeutic schedule alternated: week A an IVT of melphalan (30 μg/0.1 mL) for a total of 4 versus week B IC injections of melphalan (15 μg/0.05 mL) 4 IC in total. Each injection was preceded by an anterior chamber. Cryotherapy to the injection punctures was systematically performed.

RESULTS

Rapidly, iris and ciliary body nodules regressed completely based on clinical and ultrasound biomicroscopic examinations. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient has shown no evidence of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

In our patient, combined IVT and IC administration of melphalan proved highly efficacious in eradicating the ciliary body and anterior chamber disease and salvage of his one remaining functional eye.

Detection of an Iris Pigmented Epithelium Cyst in a Child by High Frequency Ultrasonography

An 18-month-old boy presented with an iris pigmented epithelium cyst. The diagnosis was confirmed using high frequency ultrasonography. The cyst was determined to be in an intermediate location, thus needing no treatment provided that any potential complications were noted. However, continued monitoring is required to detect any changes to adapt management. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2017;54:e31-e33.].

A randomized multicenter phase 3 trial of adjuvant fotemustine versus surveillance in high risk uveal melanoma (UM) patients (FOTEADJ)

9502

Background: Up to 30% of UM patients will develop metastases, with a median survival of 12 months in the metastating setting. Prognostic factors combine clinical features of the primary tumor (diameter, thickness, retinal detachment, extra-scleral extension) and genetic factors (monosomy 3, 8 q gain and class 1 /2 gene expression profiling).The genomic analysis is feasible by fine needle aspiration biopsies before radiotherapy for small UM or on enucleated eyes. Methods: Multicenter randomized phase 3 trial with adjuvant fotemustine, 6 cycles, 100 mg/m2 versus surveillance for 3 years (liver tests/3 months, liver MRI or CT/6 months, whole body CT/12 months) in patients with high risk of recurrence, defined by clinical criteria (diameter > 15 mm with extra scleral extension and/or retinal detachment or diameter > 18 mm) or genomic high risk signature by array-CGH (monosomy 3 or deletion of 3p associated with gain of chromosome 8). The primary objective was 5-year Metastasis Free Survival (MFS). With an expected increase of 5-year MFS from 50 to 70%, 302 patients and 99 events were required to achieve an 95%-power with a 5% type I error rate. Secondary objectives were overall survival (OS), safety (NCI-CTC v3), quality of life (QLQ-C30). Interim analyses were planned for safety and after 50 events, disclosed to an independent safety monitoring board. Results: The trial was stopped for futility after 244 patients had been recruited between June 2009 and January 2016. No unexpected toxicity was found in the chemotherapy group. The study was amended to go on with intensive surveillance in new high risk patients. Ninety-one metastases and 43 deaths were reported, with no treatment-related death. With a median follow-up of 3 years, the 3-year MFS is 60.3% in the chemo group and 60.7% in the surveillance group (HR 0.97 [0.64-1.47]). The 3-year OS is 79.4% [73.2-85.7], with no difference between the 2 groups of patients. Conclusions: FOTEADJ is the first adjuvant randomized phase 3 trial based on genomic analysis in high risk UM patients. Despite negative results, it shows the feasibility of multicenter adjuvant studies in this rare cancer and provides genomic data in small tumors for future trials. Clinical trial information: NCT02843386.

Retinoblastoma: Update on Current Management

Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer in children, where in less than a century of dire mortality there has been a cure in industrialized countries. Unfortunately, mortality remains high in emerging countries. The evolution of treatment makes it possible to go further by preserving the eyeball but this must not be done at the cost of the reappearance of metastases. Herein we outline the evolution of treatment from the beginning of the 20th century until the last recent evolutions, trying to imagine what could be the future treatments. In this pathology, the ophthalmologist is a doctor who must cure his patient and enucleation is considered a failure. This situation should not lead to shizophrenic situations where to keep an eye one would take risks with the life of the child. New international classifications, international prospective multicentric studies, and the search for blood biomarkers that can predict the risk of micrometastases could allow for better stratification of patients.

Small Choroidal Melanoma Revealed by a Large Extrascleral Extension

AIMS

Orbital extraocular extension of choroidal melanoma is very rare with small melanomas. We report the case of a patient whose small choroidal melanoma was initially overlooked and was revealed by a large extrascleral extension.

METHODS

A 48-year-old Caucasian woman presented with sudden total visual loss in the right eye. Multicolor imaging of the fundus showed right optic disc edema and an orange and green lesion near the optic disc. The diagnosis of unilateral optic neuritis was made. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an extraocular mass adjacent to the optic nerve; on ultrasound, this mass was acoustically hollow and a small intraocular component was visible.

RESULTS

Choroidal melanoma with a large extrascleral extension was diagnosed (T4eN0M0, stage IIIC according to the AJCC 7th TNM classification, 2010). The size of the extraocular nodule was 13 × 5 mm. Treatment consisted of enucleation followed by adjuvant external beam orbital radiotherapy. Tumor analysis showed a mixed cell type melanoma with monosomy 3. The patient developed liver metastasis 10 months after local treatment.

CONCLUSION

Extraocular extension of choroidal melanoma can occur with small lesions. Prognosis is generally poor according to AJCC TNM. This case is a reminder that fundus examination may reveal the nature of the mass in some patients with orbital tumors.

Adult ocular medulloepithelioma diagnosed by transscleral fine needle aspiration: A case report

Ocular medulloepithelioma (ME) is a rare congenital tumor which occurs usually during childhood but is also reported in adults. They have seen an intraocular tumor in an 89 years-old female with a history of small cell lung carcinoma. Transscleral fine needle aspiration was performed. Aspirates were rich and composed of two distinctive populations of cells. The first consisted of epithelioid large cohesive cells with rare rosettes. Nuclei were oval and chromatin was delicate with small nucleoli. The second population consisted of smaller and dispersed cells with regular nuclei and dusty chromatin. Immunohistochemistry performed on paraffin-embedded cell block sections showed that the larger cells and rosettes were cytokeratin AE1/AE3, Synaptophysin, Chromogranin A, CD56, NSE, and EMA positive, whereas the smaller cells were always negative. Interestingly smaller cells expressed only weak nuclear positivity for TTF1, whereas larger cells were TTF1 negative. Melanocytic markers were negative in both populations. Morphological patterns and immunohistochemical staining confirmed ocular ME and allowed to exclude pulmonary metastasis or primary malignant melanoma. The patient was successfully treated by brachytherapy alone and is alive and well 10 months after treatment. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:561-564. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evisceration and ocular tumors: What are the consequences?

PURPOSE

Evisceration can be performed for blind, painful eyes. This surgery can promote the dissemination of tumor cells within the orbit if an ocular tumor has been missed preoperatively.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of patients who were eviscerated for blind, painful eyes between 2009 and 2014 and who were referred after the surgery to the Institut Curie or the Rothschild Foundation in Paris. We included the patients with a histological diagnosis of ocular tumor or orbital recurrence. Cytogenetic analysis was performed whenever possible.

RESULTS

Four patients turned out to have an ocular tumor after evisceration (two choroidal melanomas, a rhabdoid tumor and an adenocarcinoma of the retinal pigment epithelium); two had a history of prior ocular trauma. The tumors were diagnosed either on histological analysis of the intraocular contents (2 patients) or biopsy of orbital recurrence (2 patients). Prior to evisceration, fundus examination was not performed in 3 patients. One had preoperative imaging but no intraocular tumor was suspected. At the time of this study, 3 patients had had an orbital recurrence and died. We also found 2 patients who had an evisceration despite a past history of choroidal melanoma treated with proton beam therapy.

CONCLUSION

We showed that evisceration of eyes with unsuspected ocular malignancies was associated with a poor prognosis due to orbital recurrence and metastasis. The evisceration specimen should therefore always be sent for histological analysis in order to perform prompt adjuvant orbital radiotherapy if an ocular tumor is found.

Choroidal melanoma and pregnancy

PURPOSE

Choroidal melanoma is a rare tumour in adults. The mean age at diagnosis is 60, but the tumour can affect women of childbearing age. A negative effect of pregnancy on patients' survival has not been formally excluded to date. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of pregnancy on the prognosis of choroidal melanoma.

METHODS

We conducted a single-centre retrospective study at the Institut Curie on the population of women of childbearing age who were diagnosed with choroidal melanoma between June 1980 and October 2013. We took a particular interest in the prognosis of those who were pregnant at the time of diagnosis and in the prognosis of those who chose to get pregnant after the treatment.

RESULTS

We found 27 pregnant patients at the time of diagnosis and 13 patients who became pregnant after the treatment. There was no difference in the survival between these two groups of patients and the group of other women of childbearing age diagnosed with choroidal melanoma (p = 0.52). There was also no difference in metastasis-free survival (p = 0.91). Most women were able to carry their pregnancies to term (67% had a term pregnancy, and only 7% had an abortion). For women who were pregnant when they were diagnosed with choroidal melanoma, a conservative treatment was chosen in 85% of cases, and proton beam therapy was the most widely used treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival in women of childbearing age does not appear to be influenced by pregnancy. We show that proton beam therapy can be used to treat women who are pregnant at the time of choroidal melanoma diagnosis.

Fine needle aspiration in intraocular metastasis from pleuropulmonary blastoma. A case report and a review of the literature

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare primitive intrathoracic malignant neoplasm that occurs almost exclusively in children and adolescents. PPB is classified into three types according to the presence of cystic and solid areas. We report a case of PPB with an intraocular metastasis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA): 3-year-old female was treated for type II PPB by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. Four years later, she presented with an intraocular lesion. To differentiate between metastasis or other malignancy, a transcleral FNA was performed and showed two cellular populations represented by roundish malignant cells and spindle-shaped cells. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and diode laser ablation. A year later, the patient had enucleation and rare residual cells were found on the histological specimen. Patient remains disease-free 66 months after the last surgical treatment. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:156-160. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.