Current Practice in the Treatment of Epithelial and Melanocytic Tumours with Interferon-α2b: A Survey of Tertiary Eye Centres in Germany.

Purpose: To evaluate the standard of care, in particular the use of topical or subconjunctival interferon-2b, in treating ocular surface squamous neoplasia or melanocytic tumours in tertiary eye centres in Germany.

Methods: A survey containing 14 questions was sent to 43 tertiary eye centres in Germany. The questions addressed the surgical and medical management of ocular surface squamous neoplasia and melanocytic tumours (primary acquired melanosis and malignant melanoma), as well as the clinical experiences and difficulties in prescribing off-label interferon-2b eye drops and subconjunctival injections.

Midterm results of conjunctival reconstruction with buccal mucosa and amniotic membrane after resecting ocular surface squamous neoplasia of the fornix.

Objective: To evaluate the midterm results of tumour resection with or without adjunctive therapy for ocular surface squamous neoplasia of the fornix, including conjunctival reconstruction with buccal mucosa and amniotic membrane.

Methods: A retrospective case-series analysis including slit-lamp examination, photographic documentation, and biopsy results (repeated when clinical findings changed). Analysis centred on eye function, complications, additional procedures, and recurrence rate.

Long-term follow-up and health-related quality of life among cancer survivors with stage IEA orbital-type lymphoma after external photon-beam radiotherapy: Results from a longitudinal study.

We assessed the long-term outcomes and treatment-related adverse effects of patients with Stage I, "orbital-type" lymphomas that were uniformly treated with photons. All consecutive patients diagnosed with low-grade, Ann Arbor Stage IEA orbital lymphoma treated between 1999 and 2020 at our department were retrospectively reviewed. We excluded patients with exclusive conjunctival involvement, typically treated with en face electrons.

Genetic characterization of advanced conjunctival melanoma and response to systemic treatment.

Background: Conjunctival melanoma is a rare type of ocular melanoma, which is prone to local recurrence and metastasis and can lead to patient death. Novel therapeutic strategies have revolutionized cutaneous melanoma management. The efficacy of these therapies in conjunctival melanoma, however, has not been evaluated in larger patient cohorts.

Outcomes and complications of cataract surgery in patients with chronic ocular graft-versus-host-disease-a multicenter, retrospective analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of phacoemulsification in patients with chronic ocular Graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT).

Methods: Retrospective, observational multicenter study from 1507 oGVHD patients. From the patient files, data were collected including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), Schirmer's test I, tear film break-up time (TFBUT), corneal fluorescein staining score, postoperative complications, and pre- and post-operative topical therapy.

Feasibility of Proton Beam Therapy as a Rescue Therapy in Heavily Pre-Treated Retinoblastoma Eyes.

Despite the increased risk of subsequent primary tumors (SPTs) external beam radiation (EBRT) may be the only therapeutic option to preserve a retinoblastoma eye. Due to their physical properties, proton beam therapy (PBT) offers the possibility to use the effectiveness of EBRT in tumor treatment and to decisively reduce the treatment-related morbidity. We report our experiences of PBT as rescue therapy in a retrospectively studied cohort of 15 advanced retinoblastoma eyes as final option for eye-preserving therapy.

Conjunctival and uveal melanoma: Survival and risk factors following orbital exenteration.

Purpose: This study aims to analyse disease-free survival, overall survival and risk factors after orbital exenteration in patients with conjunctival and uveal melanoma.

Methods: Patients who underwent orbital exenteration due to conjunctival and uveal melanoma were included in this retrospective study (March 2000 to March 2018).

Results: A total of 76 patients were enrolled in this study: 60 patients had a conjunctival melanoma and 16 had a uveal melanoma.

[Diagnosis and Therapy of Benign and Malignant Tumors of the Conjunctiva].

The aim of this paper is to give an overview of different benign and malignant epibulbar tumors. Categories can be made of the age of manifestation (paediatric tumors versus tumors of adults), the originating cell types (squamous cell tumors, melanocytic tumors, lymphomas or germ cell tumors) or genesis (proliferative, infectious or degenerating tumors). Most epibulbar tumors show lesions on the conjunctiva or the cornea.

Proton radiotherapy in advanced malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva.

Background: The management of conjunctival melanoma is challenging and frequently ends in exenteration. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long-term results of proton beam radiation with regard to various clinical parameters.

Methods: Eighty-nine patients with extended conjunctival melanoma (≥T2) and multifocal bulbar located tumors (T1c/d) were treated consecutively with proton radiotherapy (dose 45 Gy).

NF1 mutations in conjunctival melanoma.

Background: Conjunctival melanoma is a potentially deadly eye tumour. Despite effective local therapies, tumour recurrence and metastasis remain frequent. The genetics of conjunctival melanomas remain incompletely understood.

[Conjunctival melanoma : Standard operating procedures in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care].

Background: In cases of rare cancer entities, such as malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva, there are often no evidence-based national guidelines available. Standard operating procedures (SOP) are an alternative in these cases.

Objective: The aim of this project was to develop a consensus SOP for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of conjunctival melanomas between the 14 Centers of Excellence in Germany supported by German Cancer Aid.

Frequent GNAQ, GNA11, and EIF1AX Mutations in Iris Melanoma.

Purpose: The most common malignant intraocular tumors with a high mortality in adults are uveal melanomas. Uveal melanomas arise most frequently in the choroid or ciliary body (97%) and rarely in the iris (3%). Whereas conjunctival and posterior uveal (ciliary body and choroidal) melanomas have been studied in more detail genetically, little data exist regarding iris melanomas.

[Ocular graft versus host disease : Corneal complications].

Background: Ocular graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) following allogeneic blood stem cell transplantation leads to immunologically induced alterations in many ocular tissues, particularly at the ocular surface. Within the framework of the main topic, this article focuses primarily on corneal complications in chronic ocular GvHD.

Objective: This article aims to promote understanding of the influencing factors, diagnostics, and therapeutic options pertaining to corneal complications in ocular GvHD.

Oncogene status as a diagnostic tool in ocular and cutaneous melanoma.

The majority of human tumours can be easily and correctly diagnosed based on clinical information and pathological assessment. In some cases however, correct diagnosis can prove difficult. In such cases, molecular approaches can be of significant diagnostic value.

[Operative therapy and irradiation of conjunctival melanoma].

Background: Radiotherapy of conjunctival melanoma has gained in importance in recent years compared to less invasive therapeutic approaches. This is due to the high recurrence rates achieved by omitting adjuvant therapy and to the increasing availability of suitable radiotherapeutic methods, so that tumors formerly not amenable to organ-preserving therapy can now be treated.

Objective: This article presents the current radiotherapeutic options for conjunctival melanoma.

Frequent TERT Promoter Mutations in Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia.

Purpose: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia, including intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are one of the most common malignant tumors of the conjunctiva. Little is known of the genetic alterations involved in their pathogenesis. Promoter mutations in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) have been identified in various cancers, including many associated with ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

Analysis of SDHD promoter mutations in various types of melanoma.

Objectives: Recently, recurrent mutations in regulatory DNA regions, such as promoter mutations in the TERT gene were identified in melanoma. Subsequently, Weinhold et al. reported SDHD promoter mutations occurring in 10% of melanomas and being associated with a lower overall survival rate.

[Patient-Centred Care of Ocular Graft-vs-Host Disease in Germany].

Background: Ocular GvHD is a severe complication following allogenic blood stem cell transplantation leading to massive reduction in quality of life and ocular pathologies including corneal perforation. Interdisciplinary patient-centred care needs to be performed in specialized ophthalmic centers that provide all diagnostic and therapeutic options, however, only few clinics have the necessary infrastructure. In addition there is a lack of transparency and easily accessible information for the patients regarding ophthalmic care and specialized centres.