Uveal Melanoma Cell Seeding after Transretinal Tumor Biopsy?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To report a case and the histopathology of uveal melanoma cell seeding following transretinal tumor biopsy for a suspected uveal lesion.

METHODS: Interventional case report.

RESULTS: A 66-year-old male presented with a pigmented perilimbal episcleral lesion overlying an intraocular mass at the pars plana, 3.5 years after transretinal biopsy and ruthenium plaque brachytherapy for a choroidal melanoma at the posterior pole. The patient underwent enucleation of the eye. Histopathology confirmed a recurrence of uveal melanoma with intra- and extrascleral tumor portions. Serial sections revealed the posterior border of this newfound pars plana melanoma separated from the radiation scar by a viable and tumor-free choroidal area, thus failing to establish a continuity between secondary and primary tumor.

CONCLUSION: Transretinal tumor biopsy is of high diagnostic and prognostic value in the management of uveal lesions, but also bears the potential risk for tumor cell seeding.