Metastatic uveal melanoma: A morphologic and immunohistochemical analysis

• Published in: Cancer 1996-11, Vol.78 (9), p.1967-1971
• Main Authors: Luyten, Gregorius P. M., Mooy, Cornelia M., Post, Jannie, Jensen, O. A., Luider, Theo M., de Jong, Paul T. V. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antigens, Neoplasm - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; cell type; HMB‐45; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Melanoma - chemistry; Melanoma - pathology; Melanoma - secondary; Melanoma-Specific Antigens; metastasis; Neoplasm Proteins - analysis; NKI‐C3; Ophthalmology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; S100 Proteins - analysis; S‐100; uveal melanoma; Uveal Neoplasms - chemistry; Uveal Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19961101)78:9<1967::AID-CNCR18>3.0.CO;2-W

BACKGROUND Uveal melanoma often metastasizes late and preferentially to the liver, in contrast to cutaneous melanoma. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the histopathologic and immunohistochemical changes in primary uveal melanomas and their corresponding metastases. METHODS The morphology and immunohistochemical reactivity for the melanoma‐associated antibodies HMB‐45, S‐100 protein, and NKI‐C3 were assessed for 29 primary uveal melanomas and their corresponding metastases. RESULTS A significant difference in cell type of the primary and the metastatic uveal melanoma was found (P = 0.0001). The metastases derived from the 29 patients revealed 82.5% epithelioid or nonclassifiable cells. Positive staining of the primary uveal melanomas and their metastases was found to be 93% and 91%, respectively, for HMB‐45, 80% and 66%, respectively, for S‐100, and 56% and 71%, respectively, for NKI‐C3. CONCLUSIONS Metastases of uveal melanomas are comprised of a higher grade of malignant cell types. Nonclassifiable cells can be observed in 40% of metastatic lesions. In the current study, HMB‐45 proved to be the most sensitive immunohistochemical marker in the analysis of metastatic uveal melanoma and should be used as part of a panel of monoclonal antibodies in the analysis of any metastatic tumor of unknown origin. Cancer 1996;78:1967‐71.