Presumed Melanoma of Unknown Primary Origin Metastatic to the Choroid Mimics Primary Uveal Melanoma

John M. Rieth, Randy Chris Bowen, Mohammed M. Milhem, H. Culver Boldt, Elaine M. Binkley*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe the case of a 69-year-old woman who presented with a decline in vision in the left eye and was found to have a choroidal lesion with clinical and echographic features concerning for primary uveal melanoma. Systemic imaging identified numerous metastases to the liver, kidneys, paratracheal lymph nodes, lung, and brain. The hepatic lesion was biopsied, and genetic analysis identified a Val600Glu (c.1799T>A) BRAF mutation, consistent with a cutaneous primary malignancy, although no primary tumor was identified. This case highlights that metastasis to the choroid is a rare presentation of nonuveal melanoma that can mimic primary uveal melanoma. Genetic analysis of tumor tissue can identify the origin of the melanoma and guide treatment options. Systemic imaging should be performed prior to intervention for choroidal neoplasms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)987-993
Number of pages7
JournalCase Reports in Ophthalmology
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 28 2021

Keywords

  • Choroidal melanoma
  • Choroidal metastasis
  • Cutaneous melanoma
  • Uveal melanoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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