OBJECTIVES: We report three cases of corneal melanoma: two without conjunctival primary acquired melanosis or melanoma and one with a history of conjunctival melanoma. METHODS: Report of 3 cases with corneal melanoma and literature review. RESULTS: Medical records of three patients with the diagnosis of corneal melanoma were reviewed. Total excisional biopsy with corneal epitheliectomy using 20% ethanol was performed. Postoperative topical chemotherapy with 0.04% mitomycin-C was used for 4 weeks as adjunctive therapy. The follow-up ranged from 13 months to 7 years. Each of the two patients experienced two recurrences. One was treated in a fashion similar to that of the initial tumor, and the other was treated by enucleation. None of the patients developed regional or distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant melanoma can rarely occur on the cornea with no contiguous conjunctival component. Eye-conserving treatment should be attempted first. Recurrences may occur, and a close follow-up is necessary.
OBJECTIVES: We report three cases of corneal melanoma: two without conjunctival primary acquired melanosis or melanoma and one with a history of conjunctival melanoma. METHODS: Report of 3 cases with corneal melanoma and literature review. RESULTS: Medical records of three patients with the diagnosis of corneal melanoma were reviewed. Total excisional biopsy with corneal epitheliectomy using 20% ethanol was performed. Postoperative topical chemotherapy with 0.04% mitomycin-C was used for 4 weeks as adjunctive therapy. The follow-up ranged from 13 months to 7 years. Each of the two patients experienced two recurrences. One was treated in a fashion similar to that of the initial tumor, and the other was treated by enucleation. None of the patients developed regional or distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS:Malignant melanoma can rarely occur on the cornea with no contiguous conjunctival component. Eye-conserving treatment should be attempted first. Recurrences may occur, and a close follow-up is necessary.