Incidence and Mortality

Melanoma of the uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, and choroid) is rare, but it is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. The mean age-adjusted incidence of uveal melanoma in the United States is approximately 4.3 new cases per million people, with no clear variation by latitude. The incidence is higher in men (4.9 cases per million) than in women (3.7 cases per million).[1] The age-adjusted incidence of this cancer has remained stable since at least the early 1970s.[1,2] U.S. incidence rates are lower than the rates of other reporting countries, which vary from about 5.3 to 10.9 cases per million. Some of the variation may be the result of differences in inclusion criteria and methods of calculation.[1]

Uveal melanoma is most often diagnosed in older individuals, with a progressively rising, age-specific incidence rate that peaks near age 70 years.[3]

Host susceptibility factors associated with the development of this cancer include:[2-4]

In view of these susceptibility factors, numerous observational studies have explored the relationship between sunlight exposure and risk of uveal melanoma. These studies have found only weak associations or yielded contradictory results.[3] Similarly, there is no consistent evidence that occupational exposure to UV light or other agents is a risk factor for uveal melanoma.[3,5]