The hunt for the secrets of uveal melanoma.

The many secrets of uveal melanoma are being uncovered. Information on host and environmental factors that predispose to uveal melanoma has been published. The most important factors include light eye colour, fair skin, inability to tan and chronic sun exposure. Clinical clues that are visible on ophthalmoscopy have been shown to be significant factors in predicting growth of small borderline tumours and allow for early detection of melanoma. These factors include thickness over 2 mm, subretinal fluid, symptoms, orange pigment overlying the tumour and tumour margin within 3 mm of the disc. Refined methods of cytogenetic analysis have identified several chromosomal mutations associated with uveal melanoma. Currently, the most important mutation proves to be chromosome 3 monosomy, an abnormality associated with greater risk for metastatic disease.