Choroidal melanoma in an African-American albino

Am J Ophthalmol. 1996 Dec;122(6):901-3. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)70396-4.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the rare occurrence of choroidal melanoma in an African-American albino.

Methods: A 68-year-old African-American man with oculocutaneous albinism developed an amelanotic choroidal mass in his left eye. A transvitreal fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis, and the patient was treated with iodine 125 plaque radiotherapy.

Results: The cytology of the needle biopsy showed spindle cells with nuclear atypia and prominent nucleoli. The cells showed positive immunoreactivity for HMB-45, supporting the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a choroidal melanoma occurring in an African-American albino.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Albinism, Oculocutaneous / complications*
  • Albinism, Oculocutaneous / pathology
  • Black or African American
  • Brachytherapy
  • Choroid Neoplasms / complications*
  • Choroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Choroid Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Melanoma / complications*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / radiotherapy

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes