To evaluate the duration and efficiency of hepatic surveillance needed after initial treatment for uveal melanoma.
Key Findings:
29% of patients developed liver metastases, with 93% detected within the first five years, highlighting the efficiency of early surveillance.
The median time from diagnosis to liver metastasis was 1 year and 11 months, indicating a critical window for monitoring.
Only 23 additional cases of metastasis were identified between years six to eleven, reinforcing the diminishing returns of prolonged surveillance.
Surveillance efficiency diminishes significantly after five years, suggesting a need for protocol reevaluation.
Interpretation:
The findings suggest that prolonged routine imaging beyond five years may be inefficient, advocating for personalized surveillance protocols based on individual risk factors such as T stage and tumor location.
Limitations:
The study is retrospective and may not account for all variables influencing metastasis, potentially skewing results.
Late metastases occurred in lower-risk groups, complicating surveillance decisions and indicating the need for a nuanced approach.
Conclusion:
Current surveillance protocols should be re-evaluated to focus on personalized strategies based on tumor characteristics and risk factors rather than a uniform approach.
