Purpose: To show the results of evaluation, management and evolution in a population of patients with choroidal melanoma that were examined between January 1st, 1994, and January 1st, 2000 at the Retina and Vitreous Service of the Federal University of Uberlândia - MG. Methods: This series was based on a retrospective chart review of 7 patients with a diagnosis of choroidal melanoma, analyzing: age, sex, race, symptoms and duration, diagnostic methods, treatment, tumor size and type, and evolution. Results: There was no difference regarding sex, and the patients' average age at diagnosis was 58.5 years. The tumor was more frequent in whites (66.5%) and visual loss was the most frequent symptom (66.5%). Indirect ophthalmoscopy was responsible for 66.5% of the diagnosis. All the patients were submitted to ultrasonography (USG) and underwent surgical treatment because they presented with large tumors (basal diameter larger than 12 mm). Mixed cell melanoma was the most frequent type (50%), and the average size of the tumors was 20.50 mm basal diameter and 15.16 mm thickness. The follow-up varied from 8 months to 5 years. Two patients had systemic metastases and died. Conclusion: All patients were diagnosed with the tumor at an advanced stage, needing surgical treatment. Two deaths were observed. Indirect ophthalmoscopy is very important in adults based on the malignancy of the tumor and the possibility of early detection, enlarging the treatment options and improving its results.
Melanoma; Choroid neoplasms
