Enhanced Staging of Choroidal Melanomas and Ciliary Body: Tumor Volume Estimation and Competing Risk Analyses

The current model for staging is developed using tumor size alone. A retroactive study was done to develop a new model for staging and prediction of disease progression. Researchers treated 6,528 consecutively registered patients at three tertiary ocular oncology centers on two continents (1981 and 2022). Data on all 6,528 patients’ survival, tumor size, and extent were collected. Tumor volume was calculated with a simple equation using the largest basal diameter and thickness. Size categories and stages based on volume were developed and validated in distinct patient groups through competing risk analyses, exploring associations with cytogenetic and cytomorphological features.

They concluded that estimating tumor volume can improve the accuracy of staging and prognostication for the ciliary body and choroidal melanomas.