Intraocular invasion of a conjunctival melanoma

Background The treatment of a localised conjunctival melanoma usually requires local excision combined with cryotherapy, brachytherapy and/or local chemotherapy. Case report A 71 year old woman suffering from a conjunctival melanoma located at the limbus of her left eye was treated by local excision and cryotherapy. After this therapeutic procedure two recurrences occurred which had been again treated by excision and cryotherapy and finally brachytherapy. Nevertheless, a third recurrent tumor developed and was treated again with deep lamellar sclerectomy and keratectomy. During this procedure the anterior chamber was opened inadvertently in a tiny spot. Some months later an intraocular invasion of the melanoma was diagnosed clinically and the eye had to be enucleated 5 years after the first treatment. Histological examination revealed extended melanoma growth into iris, ciliary body, anterior choroid, and tumor cell seedings in the antertior chamber. Conclusions Removing a conjunctival melanoma especially such a tumor growing at the limbus, the surgeon has to pay attention not to open the anterior chamber during sclerectomy and keratectomy. The possibility that prior local surgical excision aided the intraocular extension is discussed.