Clinical Trial: In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Study of Pigmented Conjunctival Lesions

Study Status: Terminated
Recruit Status: Terminated
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Study of Pigmented Conjunctival Lesions

Brief Summary: This study aims to validate the use of laser in vivo confocal microscopy as an early diagnostic and differentiation tool of pigmented conjunctival lesions, evaluate the efficacy of in vivo confocal microscopy for follow-up (as a visualizing tool) after tumor resection for early detection of tumor recurrence, and to evaluate the use of in vivo confocal microscopy in evaluation of response to treatment. The modified technique with Heidelberg Retina Tomography (HRT) confocal microscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) are non-invasive, no-touch, imaging techniques that may help in differentiation of benign lesions like nevi or racial melanosis, from malignant lesions like primary acquired melanosis and malignant melanomas. The OCT will potentially allow to estimate tumor depth in vivo as preliminary studies have shown.

Detailed Summary:

Conjunctival melanoma is a potentially lethal neoplasm, with an average 10-year mortality rate of 30%, and 15-year mortality rate of 45%. This condition occurs mainly in the white population, with rare reports in black and other non-white populations. Recent studies have indicated that like cutaneous melanoma, the incidence of conjunctival melanoma is increasing.

Conjunctival Malignant Melanoma (MM) is also currently diagnosed based upon clinical grounds, through observation of the growth of the suspected lesions over regular intervals of time. Unfortunately simple slit lamp examination is currently the only clinical diagnostic visual instrument available in medical practice, and the early diagnosis of MM by slit-lamp examination is still rather poor. Further the diagnosis of invasive conjunctival MM is currently established by conjunctival excisional biopsy and defined by the invasion of the underlying substantia propria of the conjunctiva by atypical tumor cells, especially when there is loss of the maturation. Regarding the management of malignant melanoma, unfortunately the extensive horizontal and even vertical growth of this neoplasm does not always lend itself to simple excision leading to exenteration. As a vision-sparing alternative, local excision with cryotherapy has become the treatment of choice. Long-term follow-up has shown that local recurrences are common. More recently, topical chemotherapy with mitomycin C (MMC) has been used to treat cases with extensive PAM with atypia , because the pigmented margin is used as a guide for most conservative treatments, the tumor's edge may be missed.

Recurrent conjunctival MM often presents as an amelanotic mass and may be mistaken for pyogenic granuloma in a patient who has had multiple previous excisions of conjunctival MM, even though the original tumor may have been
Sponsor: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Current Primary Outcome: Pigmented conjunctival lesions [ Time Frame: Day 1 ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Dates:
Date Received: October 19, 2011
Date Started: September 2011
Date Completion:
Last Updated: August 12, 2016
Last Verified: August 2016