Uveal melanoma: clinical management of ocular complications after tumor biopsy

ABSTRACT Introduction Sampling of uveal tumors using fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) or vitrectomy cutter choroidal biopsy (VCCB) has become part of the standard of care in diagnosis and prognosis of uveal melanomas and borderline melanocytic uveal tumors. For early adopters, the use of FNAB (or VCCB) has shown that benefits of tumor sampling far outweigh the risks, particularly with respect to the ability to confirm tumor diagnostic and prognostic testing. Areas covered This manuscript will review the different techniques used to obtain small samples of uveal tumors with minimal disruption of the ocular tissues, briefly discuss clinical applications and complications of FNAB and VCCB, and ways in which to improve specimen yield and patient outcomes. Expert opinion The published literature shows a lack of uniformity in indication and surgical techniques among ocular oncologists performing FNAB and VCCB. This fact can potentially lead to discrepant results that include variable rates of success in obtaining a sufficient specimen and a wide range of complications, from intraocular hemorrhage, retinal detachment to anecdotal cases of seeding of the biopsy needle track and extraocular tumor extension. Uniform indications and surgical techniques would allow comparison among different centers and protocols to minimize and manage complications.