EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF OCULAR MELANOMA IN UNIVERSITY CLINIC CENTER IN TUZLA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Aim: Melanoma represents a malignant tumour arising from melanocytes. Uveal melanoma is the most common primary ocular malignancy among the adult population. The aim of the study was to examine epidemiological characteristics of ocular melanoma in University Clinic Centre in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina from January 2001 till November 2015. Methods and Materials: In this retrospective study we used all available medical documentation to investigate the clinical findings which included age, gender, tumour size, histopathological features and the precise anatomic origin of the ocular melanoma. Results: Over the 14 year period of this study, there were 32 patients with microscopically confirmed ocular melanoma at the Department of Pathology. All malignant melanoma were uveal origin. Discussion and conclusion: For early detection of the disease, regular checkups are necessary, especially in older population. As there is a limited number of reports on the epidemiology of malignant tumors of eye and ocular adnex in our region, this is very important study. We conclude that this is a first study in Bosnia and Herzegovina that document the number of uveal melanomas.