ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of testing the gain of chromosome 8 and the gain of chromosome 6 as prognostic markers in histopathological samples of enucleated eyes in with uveal melanoma. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 54 enucleated eyes. The status of chromosomes 3, 8 and 6 was tested by CISH, and FISH was used in a few samples. A follow-up for the detection of metastases was conducted in all patients. The statistical significance of chromosomal abnormalities as a prognostic factor for the development of metastases was determined. RESULTS: The study group consists of 54 patients (average age 63 years), 28 men (51.9%) Monosomy 3 together with gain of chromosome 8 was found in 10 samples (18.5%). Both chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 6 (11%) patients. No chromosomal abnormality in 3 or 8 was detected in 21 (38.9%) patients. Abnormalities of chromosome 6 were present in 6 (11%) patients. Progression free survival after 5 years was 33.3% (95% CI 0.0; 83.3) in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a correlation between progression-free survival and the presence of changes in chromosome 3 and e 8 in uveal melanomas. The results underline the necessity of testing for both chromosomal aberrations.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this cytogenetic study is to confirm the significance of chromosome 3 loss (monosomy 3) and of the gain of chromosome 8 as prognostic markers in histopathological samples of enucleated eyes with uveal melanoma in the Czech population. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 52 enucleated eyes. Chromosome 3 and 8 status were tested by CISH, and in a few samples FISH was used. The correlation between monosomy 3 and gain of chromosome 8 and clinical features (histopathological type, size of the tumour) were evaluated. A follow up for the detection of metastases was conducted in all patients. The statistical significance of chromosomal abnormalities as a prognostic factor for the development of metastases was calculated. RESULTS: There were 52 patients, 27 men (51.9%) and 25 women (48.1%) enrolled in our study group. The mean age was 63 ± 14 years. Loss of the one copy of chromosome 3 (monosomy 3) was detected in 26 (50.0%) patients, monosomy 8 was present in 34.6% of patients with monosomy 3. After 5 years there were no metastases in 82% of patients without monosomy 3 as opposed to 40% of patients with monosomy 3. We confirmed a statistically significant association between progression free survival (PFS) and the presence of monosomy 3 (P=0.017). The association between PFS and gain of chromosome 8 was significant as well (0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed the association of progression-free survival with the presence of monosomy 3 in uveal melanomas. We provided a good prognostic value of monosomy 3 in uveal melanoma.
