Epidemiologic aspects of uveal melanoma

Kathleen M. Egan, Johanna M. Seddon, Robert J. Glynn, Evangelos S. Gragoudas, Daniel M. Albert

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

473 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although the underlying cause or causes of uveal melanoma have yet to be elucidated, important insights may be gained by examining the epidemiologic features of the disease. Uveal melanoma is an uncommon cancer with an incidence of only six cases per million population per year. It is most often diagnosed in the sixth decade and is somewhat more common in males. Apart from sporadic reports of family clusters, uveal melanoma is not considered an inherited disease. Whether some environmental exposure triggers the development of uveal melanoma remains an open question. Sunlight has been proposed as an environmental risk factor because sunlight is known to cause melanoma of the skin and both diseases are rare in nonwhite races. Unlike cutaneous melanoma, however, rates have not been increasing over time and do not vary by latitude. This paper evalutes the available evidence for sunlight and other potential risk factors for uveal melanoma, highlighting areas requiring further research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)239-251
Number of pages13
JournalSurvey of Ophthalmology
Volume32
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • epidemiology
  • melanoma
  • risk factors
  • tumor
  • ultraviolet radiation
  • uveal melanoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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