%0 Journal Article
%T Influence of age on prognosis of young patients with uveal melanoma: a matched retrospective cohort study.
%A Kaliki S
%A Shields CL
%A Mashayekhi A
%A Ganesh A
%A Furuta M
%A Shields JA
%J Eur J Ophthalmol
%V 23
%N 2
%D Mar-Apr 2013
%M 23065853
%F 1.922
%R 10.5301/ejo.5000200
%X OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of patient age on life prognosis in patients with uveal melanoma.
METHODS: Matched retrospective cohort study of 122 patients in each age category (young [≤20 years], mid-adults [21-60 years], older adults [>60 years]).
RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier estimates of tumor-related metastasis at 3, 5, and 10 years were 1%, 8%, and 8% in young; 8%, 11%, and 26% in mid-adults; and 13%, 16%, and 24% in older adults. After exclusion of iris melanoma, Kaplan-Meier estimates of tumor-related metastasis at 3, 5, and 10 years were 2%, 11%, and 18% in young; 9%, 14%, and 21% in mid-adults; and 9%, 34%, and 33% in older adults. Risk factors for metastasis based on multivariate analysis included increasing age in young (p=0.05, hazard ratio [HR] 1.33), male gender in mid-adults (p=0.046, HR 4.23), and larger tumor basal diameter in mid-adults (p=0.002, HR 1.37) and older adults (p=0.001, HR 1.30). After adjusting for tumor diameter, the metastatic rate was lower in young patients compared to mid-adults (0=0.042, HR 3.00) and older adults (p=0.007, HR 4.20).
CONCLUSIONS: Younger patient age at the time of diagnosis of uveal melanoma is associated with lower rate of metastasis compared to mid-adults and older adults.