This article discusses the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with small choroidal melanocytic lesions. Choroidal melanoma is a type of cancer that affects the eye, and early detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Currently, the primary method for diagnosing choroidal melanoma is through a biopsy, which involves taking a tissue sample. However, this procedure can be invasive and may cause complications.

The study described in the article aimed to explore the feasibility of detecting CTCs in the blood of patients with small choroidal melanocytic lesions, which could potentially provide a non-invasive method of diagnosis. The researchers used a technique called immunomagnetic separation to isolate and identify CTCs from blood samples.

The results showed that CTCs were successfully detected in the majority of patients with small choroidal melanocytic lesions. This suggests that CTC analysis could be a valuable tool for early cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Furthermore, the presence of CTCs was associated with more advanced disease phenotypes, such as larger tumor size and increased proximity to the optic nerve.

Overall, the study highlights the potential of CTC detection as a non-invasive method for diagnosing and monitoring choroidal melanoma. Further research is needed to validate these findings and develop protocols for implementing CTC analysis in clinical practice.

Ophthalmology. 2023 Aug 1:S0161-6420(23)00533-X.

doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.07.025. Online ahead of print.