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Choroidal melanoma in a 7-year-old child treated by trans-scleral local resection

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Abstract

Purpose

To report a choroidal melanoma in a 7-year-old child treated by trans-scleral local resection and adjuvant brachytherapy with a family history of neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) and cutaneous melanoma.

Patient and methods

A 7-year-old child was referred for treatment of a choroidal tumor in her left eye with a differential diagnosis of melanoma, neurilemmoma, leiomyoma, and neurofibroma. Trans-scleral local resection and, subsequently, adjuvant brachytherapy were performed.

Results

Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the specimen diagnosed an amelanotic melanoma of spindle cell type, with a moderately high number of mitoses (7/40 HPF). Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis showed two copies of chromosome 3, three copies of the short arm of chromosome 6, and two copies of chromosome 8, strongly suggesting a good prognosis. Postoperative ophthalmic evaluation at 6 months showed no visible tumor and flat retina with visual acuity (VA) of 6/60.

Conclusions

Trans-scleral local resection with adjuvant brachytherapy in children is possible using the same techniques as for adults. Although the follow-up is short, our patient retained the eye with good vision and our cytogenetic studies allowed us to reassure the mother.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. St Paul’s Eye Unit, Oncology Service, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK

    Andrea Russo & Bertil E. Damato

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Liverpool, 5th Floor Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool, L69 3GA, UK

    Sarah Ellen Coupland

  3. Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, 1, Ireland

    Michael O’Keefe

Authors
  1. Andrea Russo
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  2. Sarah Ellen Coupland
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  3. Michael O’Keefe
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  4. Bertil E. Damato
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah Ellen Coupland.

Additional information

None of the authors have any financial/conflicting interests or funding source to disclose.

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Russo, A., Coupland, S.E., O’Keefe, M. et al. Choroidal melanoma in a 7-year-old child treated by trans-scleral local resection. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 248, 747–749 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-009-1295-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-009-1295-z

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