Survival rates with uveal melanoma in the United States: 1973-1997.

PURPOSE: To determine variations in 5-year relative survival rates with primary uveal melanoma in the United States over a 25-year period from 1973 to 1997.

DESIGN

Systematic review of existing databases.

PARTICIPANTS

Two thousand four hundred ninety-three patients with primary uveal melanoma, International Classification of Oncology [ICDO-2] codes C69.3 [choroid melanoma] and C69.4 [ciliary body and iris]) derived from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program database in the United States from 1973 to 1997.

METHODS

The patients were stratified according to the treatment (surgery or radiotherapy). The relative 5-year survival was calculated for 2054 patients diagnosed between 1973 and 1993 by the life table method using US life expectancy tables.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relative 5-year survival rate.

RESULTS

Surgical treatment was performed in 1476 (72%) cases, and radiotherapy was given in 300 (15%) cases. The proportion of cases treated by radiotherapy increased progressively from 2% to 28% in 20 years. Relative 5-year survival rates ranged from 77% to 84% without a statistically significant variation.

CONCLUSIONS

Advances made in the local methods of treatment of primary uveal melanoma have not led to an improvement in survival. Systemic approaches to management of uveal melanoma are warranted.