Multiple malignancies in uveal melanoma patients ‐ the LOOC experience

Purpose To identify the prevalence of multiple primary tumors in a patient cohort with uveal melanoma and describe the cohort's characteristics. Methods A data query for all cases of uveal melanoma seen at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Center (LOOC) since 1993 was performed. Based on systemic information only cases with multiple primary tumors were included. Demographic and clinical information data were analyzed. Results A total of 5140 (2615 males, 50.9%) patients with uveal melanoma were found, of which 228 (4.4%) were noted to have at least one other primary malignancy. 15 cases (0.6%) had at least 3 primary tumors recorded. The gender breakdown is: 125 males (54.8%) and 103 females. Of 125 men, 45 (36%) had been diagnosed with prostate cancer; 30 with unspecified skin tumors; 8 with systemic lymphoma; 7 with bladder carcinoma; 6 with colon carcinoma; and the remaining patients with less common tumors. Of 103 females, 45 (44%) had suffered breast carcinoma; 19 had unspecified skin tumours; 7 renal cell carcinoma; 5 lung carcinoma; and the remaining patients, other less common tumor types. 43 of the 125 (34.4%) males and 39 of the 103 females (37.9%) were deceased by time of data analysis. The incidence of the commonest tumors in males (e.g. prostate cancer: 45/2615, 1.7%) and females (e.g. breast cancer: 45/2525, 1.8%) in this cohort of patients with uveal melanoma did not differ from the incidence of these tumors in the general UK population. Conclusion Although rare, additional malignancies can occur in association with uveal melanoma; therefore, the patient history taking should include this aspect. Aside from demographic and clinical data, genetic testing in these cases with multiple malignancies may yet reveal unique common patterns.