Microcirculation and Tumor-Infiltrating Macrophages in Choroidal and Ciliary Body Melanoma and Corresponding Metastases

Abstract

Of the markers studied, the presence of epithelioid cells and MVD most closely parallel progression of uveal melanoma from primary tumor to metastasis. These two tumor characteristics may be interrelated, and high MVD may help to predict survival after detection of hepatic metastases. The results also suggest that the grade of pigmentation and morphologic type of tumor-infiltrating macrophages are interrelated.