Absence of type I estrogen receptors in choroidal melanoma: analysis of Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) eyes.

PubMed ID: 11384577

Author(s): Grostern RJ, Slusker Shternfeld I, Bacus SS, Gilchrist K, Zimbric ML, Albert DM; Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study Group. Absence of type I estrogen receptors in choroidal melanoma: analysis of Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) eyes. Am J Ophthalmol. 2001 Jun;131(6):788-91. PMID 11384577

Journal: American Journal Of Ophthalmology, Volume 131, Issue 6, Jun 2001

PURPOSE To evaluate choroidal melanomas in enucleated eyes for the presence of type I estrogen receptors.

METHODS Fourteen consecutive eyes with large choroidal melanomas (defined as >16-mm basal diameter and >8 mm thickness) from 14 patients (eight women and six men with a mean age of 57 years; range, 25–74 years) enucleated in accordance with the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) protocol were investigated. Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to label the choroidal melanomas for the presence of type I estrogen receptors. Each specimen was then evaluated in a masked fashion by an experienced ophthalmic pathologist for positive nuclear staining.

RESULTS No tumors showed immunohistochemical evidence of a type I estrogen receptor.

CONCLUSION Type I estrogen receptors are not present in choroidal melanoma. Estrogens are not likely to influence choroidal melanoma growth through traditional receptors.