Surgical Management of Posterior Uveal Melanoma
Within the next 5 years, surgical management for uveal melanoma will continue to undergo advancements with new techniques, instrumentation and platforms. With adoption of globe-salvaging techniques and the COMS study showing that there was no significant difference in visual function at 3–5 years for enucleation versus brachytherapy, further development of treatments for tumor-related and treatment-related morbidities are needed. Surgical techniques may be an important component in melanoma treatment as outlined above. Additionally, further research is needed in molecular genetics to identify high-risk melanomas prior to metastasis as well as the development of treatments for metastatic disease, in hopes of improving survival. We must never lose our primary focus of saving the life first, followed by the eye and then the vision.
Five-year Review
Within the next 5 years, surgical management for uveal melanoma will continue to undergo advancements with new techniques, instrumentation and platforms. With adoption of globe-salvaging techniques and the COMS study showing that there was no significant difference in visual function at 3–5 years for enucleation versus brachytherapy, further development of treatments for tumor-related and treatment-related morbidities are needed. Surgical techniques may be an important component in melanoma treatment as outlined above. Additionally, further research is needed in molecular genetics to identify high-risk melanomas prior to metastasis as well as the development of treatments for metastatic disease, in hopes of improving survival. We must never lose our primary focus of saving the life first, followed by the eye and then the vision.
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