There are three types of ocular surface tumors, the epithelial, stromal and secondary, metastatic neoplasias. Since some of these tumors have a highly malignant behavior – 5 year mortality rate of conjunctival melanoma could be 30% - incidence and epidemiological features of these neoplasias are of importance. Early and precise diagnosis is crucial to perform the most suitable treatment modality and to prevent any further morbidity. The standard diagnostic method includes excision biopsy with histology. Traditionally oculare surface malignancies have been treated with surgical excision with adjuvant cryotherapy. However, recurrence rates after surgical excision can be quite high and repeated surgeries may lead to limbal stem cell deficiencies, thus medical interventions have been used increasingly.
Our comprehensive research plan involves data collection on risk factors and demographic features of ocular surface malignancies. Based on these data, we plan on analysing disease process and outcome. On the other hand, in vivo diagnostics of these rare neoplasias, following up patients, recording disease process, response to treatment and surgeries are also included in the study plan. To correlate the in vivo examinations with the histology results for patients who underwent surgical excision is another aim. Our further plan to gain short and long term experience with topical chemo- and immunotherapy and to interpret these results.