The use of the 32P test in the management of malignant melanoma of the choroid: a five-year follow-up study.

We have presented mortality, clinical, and histopathologic data on a consecutive group of patients with malignant choroidal melanoma studied by a radioactive phosphorus uptake test. The mortality of 14% is the lowest reported in the literature (Table 11) and suggests that early diagnosis followed by prompt enucleation affords the patient a favorable prognosis. There is no evidence to suggest that the surgical manipulations involved expose the patient to added risks. Factors of importance regarding prognosis of malignant melanoma include tumor size, cell type, and presence or absence of extrascleral extension. Of these, we believe that cell type is the most important factor. Our data to date do not permit us to predict from the 32P tests the prognosis for patient survival.