Malignant melanoma of the choroid and the ciliary body 1956-1975 in Halland and Gothenburg. Incidence, histopathology and prognosis.

All the 91 cases of enucleated malignant melanoma of the choroid and ciliary body in an area of the Swedish west coast (630 000 inhabitants) during the period 1956-1975 are analysed. The incidence was 0.72/100 000 inhabitants and year, which means that there was no increase lately corresponding to the increase described for cutaneous melanoma. Distribution according to age, sex and cell-type corresponded to other materials. 86 tumours were choroidal, 5 were located in the ciliary body. The mortality after 15 years was 50%. Tumours of the epitheloid type showed a surprisingly low mortality (29%). In only one case, with a 10 years survival, metastases were found at the time of primary diagnosis. The possibilities for early detection of metastases were, however, small. In 11 cases a period of delay and/or other treatment had preceded enucleation. The prognosis for these cases was not worse than for those who underwent immediate enucleation.