Editorial
Current concepts in ocular melanoma: first of a series of CJO special issues

When I first met with the Editorial Board, 2 years ago, we decided on a plan of action that included the establishment of special issues dedicated to a specific subject as well as modifications to expand the existing International Advisory Board. I am delighted to offer this very first Current Concepts issue of the CJO to our readership. I would also like to thank the new members of the International
Advisory Board, who have graciously agreed to serve a 3-year term (see the masthead).

“Current Concepts in Ocular Melanoma” brings many well-established clinical researchers in this field of expertise side by side with rising stars in the area of biologic mechanisms in dissemination and metastasis of this particular ocular tumour. I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the 50 authors and coauthors from eight different countries for their contributions to this new issue.

The 19 articles in this issue cover subjects related to iris, ciliary body, choroid and conjunctival melanoma as well as animal models and in vitro studies concerning the various cell types and degrees of aggressiveness of this tumour.

Uveal malignant melanoma is the most common primary intraocular tumour in adults. Benign and malignant melanocytic tumours of the eye vary greatly in pigmentation. The eye contains two types of melanocytic cells: the uveal melanocytes and the pigmented epithelial cells of the retina, ciliary body and iris. Of course, uveal melanomas and nevi originate from the former. The etiology of this tumour is unknown, but several risk factors for ocular melanomas have been identified, including age, race, sex, predisposing lesions, genetic factors and, possibly, environmental factors. Clinical–pathological correlation plays a very important role in determining treatment and survival rates of uveal melanoma. Cell type and tumour size correlate extremely well, with large tumours most often being composed of a high number of epithelioid cells.1 Local treatment using various approaches, including plaque radiation therapy, has been successful in controlling the local disease. However, the biologic mechanisms that cause the cells to leave the eye and metastasize to the liver via hematogenous dissemination remain poorly understood.

It is my hope that issues such as this Current Concepts issue of the CJO will help shed some light by bringing together experts in the fields of clinical investigation, surgical management and molecular biology of uveal melanoma.

Miguel N. Burnier, Jr., MD, PhD
Editor-in-Chief