Axons in human choroidal melanoma suggest the participation of nerves in the control of these tumors

PURPOSE: To furnish morphologic evidence of autonomic nervous system influence on choroidal melanoma. DESIGN: Histopatholgic case report. METHODS: In the enucleated eye of a 72-year-old woman, portions of a mixed-cell choroidal melanoma were processed for electron microscopy, and ultrathin sections were screened painstakingly under magnifications of ×13,000 and ×23,000. RESULTS: The connective tissue of the melanoma contained macrophages, blood vessels, and profiles of several nonmyelinated nerve fiber bundles with a maximum of 6 axons. CONCLUSION: The existence of axons in neoplastic tissue indicates nervous input and/or output. This led us to conclude that the reaction of the melanoma is subjected to vegetative influences, yet to an unknown extent.