Direct Evidence of Conjunctival Melanoma Metastasis via Lymphatic Vessel

Abstract

An 83-year-old man with conjunctival melanoma (epithelial-like type) was referred to our hospital after a visit to a local doctor because the lesion was becoming more significant (Fig A). Conjunctival melanoma is a common malignancy of the ocular surface, and it spreads into the regional lymph node through the lymphatic vessel. The conjunctiva is the only ocular tissue in which lymphatic vessels exist. Therefore, the tumor cell easily accesses the lymphatic vessel and spreads into the lymph node.