Discussion of Uveal Melanoma Metastasis - Using Novel Biomarkers for Improved Tracking & Treatment

Abstract

Uveal Melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer and it affects thousands of individuals on an annual basis. Although uveal melanoma is rarer than other cancers it is very aggressive and can be extremely deadly, since in nearly half of all uveal melanoma cases the cancer ends up spreading to other parts of the body. With such a large chance of metastasis occurring in uveal melanoma cases, it is essential to discover effective ways to track the metastasis of uveal melanoma and treat the patients before the cancer has spread too far in the body. This paper first explains what uveal melanoma is and how it occurs and progresses throughout the body. Then, it discusses some novel biomarkers introduced by recent studies and highlights the way these biomarkers can offer a means of improved prognostication as well as help guide more effective personalized treatments for uveal melanoma patients.