Desire for individual metastatic prognosis in patients with uveal melanoma

Molecular-genetic study of uveal melanoma (UM) is crucial in predicting the risk of metastasis of this tumor. Such analysis is also possible during organ-sparing treatment based on fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), however, not all patients may consider this study appropriate and/or accessible. The goal of this study was to analyze the needs of patients with UM for individual metastasis risk prognosis. This retrospective cohort study was conducted using a questionnaire in 94 patients with UM (mean age 60±13 years; 69 % women and 31 % men). Despite the rather high proportion of interested patients (77 %), only half (51 %) of them ultimately agreed to undergo a "prognostic” FNAB, which was primarily due to the high cost of this study (it was the main reason for refusal in 76% of cases). Patients were mainly motivated to know their risk by: a sense of control of the situation and the possibility of taking preventive measures (78%), future planning for themselves and/or their loved ones (47 %), the possibility of participating in metastatic UM treatment programs (35%), receiving the maximum amount of information about the disease (28%). Patients without such intention cited a fear of revealing a high risk of metastases and an impossibility of psychological stabilization based on results of this test. Predicting the risk of metastasis is an important component of an integrated approach to the management of patients with uveal melanoma, including organ-sparing treatment. State funding of this study will increase the satisfaction of psychological needs in this category of cancer patients and improve understanding of the metastasis of uveal melanoma.