Rate of survival and microangioarchitecture in choroidal malignant melanoma

We reviewed 16 enucleated cases of choroidal malignant melanoma regarding microvascular angioarchitecture and mortality. The series comprised 8 males and 8 females. All were Japanese. The age averaged 55.2 years. Five cases died due to tumor within 4 years after enucleation. When the histological features of the tumor were classified in 6 patients, a poor survival was associated with network pattern (p = 0.03) and closed loop pattern (p = 0.005). Microvascular pattern of the tumor was thus useful in predicting the life prognosis of choroidal malignant melanoma.