Standardized data collection and coding in eye disease epidemiology: the Uveal Melanoma Data System.

The Uveal Melanoma Data System of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is a computerized data-base designed for data management and analysis with a broad range of clinical research applications. The system was created in 1980 and has evolved to include standardized data collection forms for all aspects of uveal melanoma patient care such as initial examination, treatment, and follow-up, as well as precoded forms for computer entry, which facilitate quality control measures and data analysis. Excerpts from current versions of these forms are presented.

Comparison of transillumination and histologic slide measurements of tumor diameter in uveal melanoma.

Tumor size is an important prognostic factor for deaths due to uveal melanoma. The objectives of this study are: (1) to determine the association between largest tumor diameter assessed by clinical transillumination and largest tumor diameter assessed by measurement of the histologic slide; (2) to predict a clinical transillumination diameter for each enucleation specimen based on the best combination of histologic variables--diameter, height, location, and tumor shape; and (3) to use the predicted transillumination diameter in place of histologic diameter measurement as a prognostic factor for patients treated by enucleation in order to reevaluate previously reported survival outcomes for patients treated by proton beam and enucleation. Comparison of measurements on 40 eyes indicated that transillumination largest diameter measurements were larger than histologic slide measurements (mean difference, 2.

Cobalt plaque versus enucleation for uveal melanoma: comparison of survival rates.

Two hundred and twenty-three patients treated by cobalt plaque for uveal melanoma were compared with 416 patients treated by enucleation for uveal melanoma in terms of patient survival. The median follow-up time for the patients treated by cobalt plaque was 4.3 years.

Death from uveal melanoma. Number of epithelioid cells and inverse SD of nucleolar area as prognostic factors.

Criteria for the Callender classification of uveal melanoma are subjective and lead to variations among observers of the same tumor. Two other measures for cell type-the number of epithelioid cells per high-power field (Epi/HPF) and the inverse SD of nucleolar area (ISDNA)-were evaluated as prognostic factors for survival following enucleation for uveal melanoma in 232 patients. Variables significantly related to the number of Epi/HPF were related to ISDNA.

A method for assessing potential bias among cancer patients recorded as "dead of other causes." Application to cases of intraocular melanoma.

By applying the Cox regression model to 226 cases of intraocular melanoma, the authors detected a statistical association between tumor-related measurements and 42 deaths that were recorded as due to causes other than melanoma within 10 years of follow-up. This association may reflect a number of events, including errors in assignment of cause of death and confounding from any one of several sources.