Conjunctival Melanoma

Abstract

While the natural history of untreated choroidal melanoma and the effects of enucleation are now subjects engulfed in a scientific maelstrom,^1-3 modest progress is being made in understanding the biologic behavior of conjunctival melanoma. One might expect as many or more problems in studying conjunctival melanoma because it is a rare disease, occurring approximately one fortieth as often as choroidal melanoma.⁴ The valuable article in this issue of the Archives by Liesegang and Campbell (see p 1385) about the experience of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, with conjunctival melanoma provides a timely stimulus for examining the present state of our knowledge about this disease, the relationship of conjunctival melanomas to cutaneous melanomas, and persistent areas of uncertainty or controversy. During the past decade, dermatopathologists have made impressive strides in unraveling the evolution of cutaneous melanoma. These breakthroughs have been codified in four major monographs.^5-8 Ophthalmic pathologists have taken