Bilateral Diffuse Uveal Melanocytic Proliferation in Patients With Occult Carcinoma

Bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation and uterine cancer. A case report

“…Primary tumours have been found in lung, ovary, uterus, cervix, colon, pancreas, gallbladder, breast, and oesophagus (Borruat et al 1992). The ocular manifestations of BDUMP usually antedate signs and symptoms of the systemic carcinoma by 3 to 12 months (Gass et al 1990), and death caused by metastatic carcinoma usually occurs within 24 months (Gass 1987). Our patient exhibited all the classic features of BDUMP with associated dilated episcleral vessels, glaucoma and shallow anterior chambers, but she developed eye symptoms 13 months after treatment for uterine cancer.…”

“…She died 4 1/4 years later, which is an unusually long survival time with BDUMP. Only three previous cases have survived beyond 24 months after onset of BDUMP (Rohrbach et al 1990;Gass & Glatzer 1991), with 6 1/2 years as the longest survival reported (Gass et al 1990). …”

“…Some investigators have suggested that patients with BDUMP have bilateral diffuse congenital uveal melanocytosis that have the ability to proliferate, unlike normal uveal melanocytes (Ryll et al 1980;Gass et al 1990;Borruat et al 1992). This could explain the rarity of the syndrome.…”

“…ISSN 1395-3907 B ilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation is a rare paraneoplastic ocular syndrome that causes visual loss in patients with systemic carcinoma. The main characteristics are: Multiple round, red patches at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium, a striking pattern of multifocal areas of early hyperfluorescence corresponding with these patches, proliferation of choroidal nevus-like lesions as well as diffuse thickening of the uveal tract, exudative retinal detachment, and rapidly developing cataract (Barr et al 1982;Gass et al 1990). In addition glaucoma, dilated episcleral vessels, iridocyclitis, shallow anterior chambers, ciliary body cysts, and iridodonesis have been reported (Murphy et al 1997).…”

“…In addition glaucoma, dilated episcleral vessels, iridocyclitis, shallow anterior chambers, ciliary body cysts, and iridodonesis have been reported (Murphy et al 1997). The syndrome frequently causes visual symptoms prior to the presentation of the primary tumour (Gass et al 1990) and is usually lethal within 12 to 24 months (Gass 1987). …”