Bone metastases are found in 29% of patients with metastatic malignant choroidal melanoma, which is associated with poor prognosis. However there are several reports about prolonged survival. The unusual case of a patient is described, who suffered from a melanoma with orbital invasion and survived more than 18 years. Metastases were found 12 years after initial therapy. Three palliative operations made a survival of further 7 years with high quality of life possible. Therefore moderately palliative operations are recommended in case of metastatic malignant choroidal melanoma.

Der Orthopäde

Choroid Neoplasms - diagnosis; Melanoma - diagnosis; Choroid Neoplasms - surgery; Choroid Neoplasms - secondary; Humans; Middle Aged; Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis; Male; Melanoma - surgery; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Melanoma - secondary; Palliative Care - methods; Index Medicus

MEDLINE; Medline Complete; MEDLINE with Full Text; PubMed; MEDLINE (Ovid); MEDLINE - Academic