Adjunctive Treatment with Interferon Alpha 2b in Conjunctival Melanoma

Abstract

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The aim of the study was to demonstrate the clinical outcomes after resection of conjunctival melanoma (CM) followed by topical interferon (IFN) alpha 2b after a long follow-up. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Two consecutive CM patients were treated using tumor excision followed by topical IFN alpha 2b (1,000,000 UI/mL) four times a day for 12 weeks. The second case presented positivity due to the presence of tumor cells in the lower margin of the resection. TNM staging was T1c, N0b, M0, and T1b in the first case and T1b, N0b, M0 in the second case. Follow-up was 72 and 71 months, respectively. <b><i>Results:</i></b> No side effects were observable after the administration of topical IFN alpha 2b. After extensive evaluation and imaging with computed tomography, no regrowth or distant metastasis was noticed during the follow-up period in both cases. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> IFN alpha 2b could be used as a co-adjuvant treatment after CM resection, in an attempt to reduce the possibility of recurrences.