Uveal Melanoma: 5-Year Update on Incidence, Treatment, and Survival (SEER 1973-2013)

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze trends in incidence, treatment, and survival of uveal melanoma in the United States from 1973 to 2013 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Materials and Methods: Patients were identified using International Classification of Disease for Oncology codes: C69.3 (choroid), C69.4 (ciliary body and iris), and C69.2 (retina). Trends in age-adjusted incidence, treatment (surgery or radiation), and 5-year relative survival were calculated. Results: There were 4,999 cases of uveal melanoma. The majority (97.8%) were reported by hospital inpatient/outpatient clinics. Histopathologic confirmation was available in 67.8%. The mean age-adjusted incidence was 5.2 per million (95% CI 5.0-5.4). When the incidence was standardized for race, a small but statistically significant (p < 0.05) annual percentage change of 0.5% was detected in Whites. There was a decline in patients treated with surgery alone (94.2% from 1973 to 1975 vs. 24.7% from 2012 to 2013). A corresponding increase was observed in radiation as primary treatment selection (1.3% from 1973 to 1975 vs. 68.3% from 2012 to 2013). No change in the 5-year relative survival (80.9%) was observed. Conclusions: The age-adjusted incidence of uveal melanoma has remained stable with a minor increase in Whites. Despite a shift towards globe-preserving treatment, there has not been a concomitant improvement in survival.