“There is a common misconception that ocular melanoma and skin (or cutaneous) melanoma are essentially the same disease and that research of the more prevalent skin disorder will satisfy the needs within the community of physicians treating the ocular variety. This is not the case. The two differ in their systemic symptoms, metastatic patterns, and susceptibility to treatment."
Tomorrow, May 1, kicks off Melanoma Awareness Month – for skin melanoma. What does this mean for uveal melanoma?
Well, for some, the fact that uveal melanoma and skin melanoma share the same last name, means they must be related. If not first cousins, surely second; but family, nonetheless.
For others, the fact that both uveal melanoma and skin melanoma arise from the same cells – melanocytes – means they must be related. The argument goes something like this:
Well, for some, the fact that uveal melanoma and skin melanoma share the same last name, means they must be related. If not first cousins, surely second; but family, nonetheless.
For others, the fact that both uveal melanoma and skin melanoma arise from the same cells – melanocytes – means they must be related. The argument goes something like this:
A (skin) = B (melanocytes)
and B (melanocytes) = C (eye)
therefore A (skin) = C (eye).
And so, the thinking progresses to this: If malignant skin melanocytes are caused by sun exposure, it stands to reason that malignant eye melanocytes are caused by UV exposure, too.
Therefore, uveal melanoma should catch a free ride on the skin melanoma bandwagon during May Melanoma Month.
Perfectly reasonable and perfectly wrong.
Uveal melanoma (also called choroidal melanoma, eye melanoma, ocular melanoma, intraocular melanoma and ciliary body melanoma), isn’t anything like skin melanoma.
UV radiation isn't a proven risk factor for uveal melanoma. Numerous studies do not support this common belief of a link between the two (frequently cited studies from Australia were self-reported phone surveys).
Uveal melanoma is as prevalent in northern as southern latitudes in the US. In fact, in Europe, uveal melanoma is more prevelant in northern versus southern latitudes.
In contrast to the increased incidence of skin melanoma (which has risen 120% between 1973-1994), the incidence of uveal melanoma has remained stable over 25 years.
Jumping on the skin melanoma bandwagon takes the uveal melanoma community in the wrong direction.
Instead, the See A Cure Foundation has applied for a National Eye Cancer Day in September on the U.S. Health Calendar, under the Department of Health and Human Services. We need our own day to educate the public, physicians and even ourselves about this rare cancer.
Raising awareness may lead to earlier diagnosing and treatment, which may lead to better patient outcomes. And that's a day on which we all can agree.
