What is a primary acquired melanosis?
Background: Primary acquired melanosis (PAM) presents as a unilateral patchy area of conjunctival pigmentation mostly found in middle-aged or elderly white patients. Because PAM has the potential of becoming malignant, it is important to recognize PAM and to rule out other causes of pigmented lesions.
What is a conjunctival nevus?
A conjunctival nevus is a common, benign, melanocytic tumour of the conjunctiva. It usually appears in the first 2 decades of life. Conjunctival nevi appear as circumscribed, sesile, slightly elevated lesions; approximately half contain stromal cysts.
Is Primary acquired melanosis cancer?
Primary acquired melanosis of the conjunctiva (PAM) is a potentially serious melanocytic lesion that can lead to the development of melanoma. In a practice of ocular oncology, PAM accounted for 11% of all conjunctival tumors and 21% of melanocytic lesions.
How is primary acquired melanosis diagnosed?
Malignant melanomas can start as a nevus/freckle or arise as newly formed conjunctival pigmentation called primary acquired melanosis (PAM). A simple biopsy can determine whether a pigmented conjunctival tumor is a nevus, primary acquired melanosis, or conjunctival melanoma.
Does conjunctival nevus grow?
A nevus of the conjunctiva does not typically grow (except at puberty). They do not usually extend onto the cornea or develop large feeder blood vessels.
Is conjunctival nevus normal?
Conjunctival nevus is a benign, noncancerous growth and is the most common lesion that occurs on the surface of the eye. It is usually a discrete lesion on the conjunctiva (the clear film over the eye) and can range from dark brown to yellow color, and many times will contain clear cystic components.
How do you get rid of primary acquired melanosis of the conjunctiva?
The main treatment for PAM with atypia is surgery (surgical excision) with or without freezing therapy (cryotherapy) and Mitomycin C (MMC).
How do I get rid of conjunctival nevus?
In the event that complications occur and the nevus needs to be removed, this can be done through surgery. Typically, the options for surgery are local excision with a very small blade and argon laser photoablation (a laser is used to remove the tissue).
How do you cure conjunctival nevus?
Treatment of benign conjunctival nevi is surgical and is indicated to prevent transformation into malignant melanoma or for esthetics. Treatment options include surgical excision and argon laser photoablation.
What causes conjunctival nevus?
Yes, they’re most commonly found in Caucasians (in fact, five percent have them) because light eyes, fair skin, and burning easily when exposed to the sun are also risk factors. Large scale studies have found a link between chronic sun exposure and the incidence of conjunctival nevi.
What is primary acquired melanosis of the conjunctiva?
INTRODUCTION Primary acquired melanosis of the conjunctiva (PAM) is a potentially serious melanocytic lesion that can lead to the development of melanoma.– In a practice of ocular oncology, PAM accounted for 11% of all conjunctival tumors and 21% of melanocytic lesions.
Is conjunctival melanoma malignant?
Malignant melanomas can start as a nevus/freckle or arise as newly formed conjunctival pigmentation called primary acquired melanosis (PAM). A simple biopsy can determine whether a pigmented conjunctival tumor is a nevus, primary acquired melanosis, or conjunctival melanoma.
What is the difference between primary acquired melanosis and racial melanosis?
Unlike primary acquired melanosis, racial melanosis tends to involve both eyes and is typically present for the entire life of the patient.A simple biopsy can determine whether a pigmented conjunctival tumor is a nevus, primary acquired melanosis, or conjunctival melanoma.
How is a pigmented conjunctival tumor diagnosed?
A simple biopsy can determine whether a pigmented conjunctival tumor is a nevus, primary acquired melanosis, or conjunctival melanoma. As seen below, primary acquired melanosis typically affects one eye, in middle-aged, fair-skinned people. In contrast, darkly pigmented individuals often have naturally occurring pigment on their conjunctiva.