Ciliary body lymphangiogenesis in uveal melanoma with and without extraocular extension.

PURPOSE: To determine whether peritumoral ciliary body lymphatics are found in uveal melanoma in the absence of extraocular extension.

DESIGN

Consecutive case series from 1999 to 2005.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-two uveal melanoma cases involving the ciliary body from the Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, University of Toronto, of which 23 showed no extraocular extension.

METHODS

All immunofluorescence studies and quantitative analyses were performed in a masked fashion. Sections were immunostained for the presence of lymphatic endothelium using podoplanin (D2-40 antibody) and blood vessel endothelium using CD34.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification and quantification of D2-40-positive lymphatic vessels in the ciliary body.

RESULTS

In every case (n = 32), D2-40-positive lymphatics were detected in the peritumoral ciliary body. Lymphatic signal was significantly increased in the peritumoral ciliary body compared with the nonperitumoral ciliary body (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in lymphatic signal between cases with and without extraocular extension (P > 0.05). Lymphatics were not detected within the tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Peritumoral lymphangiogenesis was present in the ciliary body in uveal melanomas with and without extraocular extension, and as such, the presence of peritumoral lymphatics is not recommended as a prognostic marker in uveal melanoma.