Local Recurrence Significantly Increases the Risk of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

PurposeTo assess of the effect of local recurrence of uveal melanoma on metastasis using a multicenter international tumor registry.DesignRetrospective study using an online tumor registry.ParticipantsPatients with uveal melanoma diagnosed between 2001 and 2011.MethodsA committee was formed to create uveal melanoma patient-specific data fields. Ten subspecialty ophthalmic oncology centers from 4 continents shared data. Patient selection criteria included diagnosis of uveal melanoma and adequate records to allow tumor staging by American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) criteria and follow-up for metastatic melanoma.Main Outcome MeasuresLocal tumor recurrence and metastatic uveal melanoma.ResultsOf 3809 total entries, 3217 patients with ciliary body and choroidal (CBC) melanoma and 160 with iris melanoma were evaluated. There was a median follow-up of 3.7 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.5-3.8). One hundred fifty-two patients (4.7%) with CBC melanoma experienced local recurrence, with a cumulative incidence of 11%. Kaplan-Meier point estimates for remaining free of local recurrence were 99% (95% CI, 99-99) at 1 year, 93% (95% CI, 92-94) at 5 years, and 89% (95% CI, 86-91) at 10 years. Five- and 10-year metastasis-free Kaplan-Meier estimates for the recurrence-free group were 87% (95% CI, 86-89) and 82% (95% CI, 79-84), and those for the local recurrence group were 71% (95% CI, 62-78) and 62% (95% CI, 49-72). The difference between these 2 groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Furthermore, local tumor recurrence increased the risk of metastasis by a hazard ratio (HR) of 6.28 (95% CI, 4.4-8.9; P < 0.001). Local recurrence was detected up to 9.8 years after treatment. Extrascleral extension also was associated with local recurrence (HR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5-6.7; P = 0.003), but higher AJCC T-size category was not (P = 0.63). Five patients (n = 5/161 [3.1%]) with iris melanoma demonstrated local recurrence and 1 metastasized.ConclusionsInternational multicenter data sharing was used to evaluate the effect of local tumor recurrence on metastatic rate. In that local tumor recurrence was associated with a significantly higher risk of systemic metastasis, effective initial treatment and long-term surveillance of treated uveal melanoma patients is necessary.