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Clinical predictors of survival in metastatic uveal melanoma

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the clinical factors that influence survival in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma.

Study design

Single-center, retrospective review of patients’ medical records.

Methods

The following data of ninety-nine consecutive patients (49 men, 50 women) with metastatic uveal melanoma were registered: patient demographics; primary tumor characteristics; features of first melanoma-related metastasis; symptoms and patient status at distant disease debut and metastasis treatment. Overall survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier estimates. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied to identify independent predictors associated with survival.

Results

Mean patient age at metastatic diagnosis was 60.7 years (standard deviation, 12.8). The liver was the first metastatic site in most (92.9%) cases. The median disease-free interval was 26 months (interquartile range, 34). Median overall survival after detection of the first metastasis was 8 months (interquartile range, 14). The baseline characteristics of the primary uveal melanoma were not associated with survival in patients with stage IV disease. In the multivariate analysis, the following factors at first metastatic diagnosis were associated with improved overall survival: disease-free interval > 36 months; better performance status; and normal serum lactate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase levels. Overall survival was not influenced by specific metastatic treatment.

Conclusion

Although metastatic uveal melanoma has a poor prognosis, this study reveals the existence of several independent prognostic factors for prolonged overall survival. These findings may help improve survival estimates in patients with advanced disease.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Bradley Londres, external biomedical editor, for his invaluable assistance in editing and improving this manuscript. This study was supported in part by a grant of the Spanish Ministry of Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, AES 2015 Proyectos de Salud-ISCIII (PI15/01461). The funding organization had no role in the design or conduct of this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Feixa Llarga, s/n, 08907, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    Daniel Lorenzo, Luis Arias, Jaume Català, Estefanía Cobos, Pere Garcia-Bru, Bruno Dias, Noel Padrón-Pérez & Josep Maria Caminal

  2. Department of Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain

    Josep Maria Piulats & María Ochoa

  3. Department of Brachytherapy, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain

    Cristina Gutiérrez

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  1. Daniel Lorenzo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel Lorenzo.

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Conflicts of interest

D. Lorenzo, None; J. M. Piulats, None; M. Ochoa, None; L. Arias, None; C. Gutiérrez, None; J. Català, None; E. Cobos, None; P. G. -Bru, None; B. Dias, None; N. P. -Pérez, None; J. M. Caminal, None.

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Corresponding author: Daniel Lorenzo

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Lorenzo, D., Piulats, J.M., Ochoa, M. et al. Clinical predictors of survival in metastatic uveal melanoma. Jpn J Ophthalmol 63, 197–209 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-019-00656-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-019-00656-9

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