We know that as many as half of uveal melanomas have metastasized by the time the eye tumor is discovered and treated. However, the cancer cells are so tiny that they go undetected by today’s imaging techniques—an event known as micrometastasis. Most ocular oncologists use a prognostic test called DecisionDx®-UM to determine the likelihood that the cancer will metastasis (spread). Multiple recent studies have shown that this test is being used to match a patient’s risk to an appropriate surveillance plan.
For instance, according to these studies, if the tumor was identified as being at low (Class 1A) or intermediate (Class 1B) risk of metastasis, doctors recommended a low intensity surveillance program such as alternating between periodic liver function tests and ultrasound or MRI. If the tumor was at a high risk (Class 2), the doctors monitored for metastasis more frequently and used more advanced imaging such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans, along with liver function tests.