Epidemiological analysis of choroidal melanoma: a population‐based analysis, 2000‐2017

Abstract

PurposeUveal melanoma is the most common adult ocular malignancy, and the choroid is the most common location where it presents. In this study, we perform an epidemiological analysis of uveal melanomas arising from the choroid.MethodsA retrospective, population‐based analysis was performed using patient data extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Registry US database from 2000 to 2017. Incidence (IR) was calculated in number of cases/million/year. Disease‐specific survival (DSS) was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method.Results7122 cases of choroidal melanoma (CM) were identified, of whom 52.2% were males and 96.5% were white. The overall IR was 4.5. IR during 2000–2008 (4.37) was significantly lower than that during 2009‐2017 (4.63) [p = 0.017]. The annual percent change in IR during 2000–2017 was 2.04 (p < 0.001). IR in males (5.1) was significantly higher than that in females (4.0) [p < 0.001]. White patients displayed significantly higher IR (5.5) than black (0.4; p < 0.001) and Asian/Pacific Islander (0.6; p < 0.001) patients. IR in patients older than 65 years old (y/o) [17.4] was statistically higher than that in those 22‐64 y/o (4.1; p < 0.001) and those younger than 21 y/o (0.1; p < 0.001). Right and left laterality did not impact IR (p = 0.620). 90.5% of patients presented with a localized malignancy while 7.9% and 1.6% showed regional and distal spread, respectively. 5‐year DSS during 2000–2012 was 82.0%. Race and sex did not affect survival. 5‐year DSS was significantly higher during 2010‐2012 (83.3%) than during 2000‐2002 (75.9%; p < 0.001).ConclusionsIncidence of choroidal melanoma is highest in the male, white and elderly populations. Incidence is increasing over the study’s timeframe. Most cases of CM are diagnosed at a localized stage. Overall 5‐year DSS for CM is 82.0% and has shown a substantial improvement comparing the two tail‐ends of the study. Race and sex do not affect survival.BibliographySurveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute SEER*Stat software (seer.cancer.gov/seerstat) version 8.3.6.