Advances in Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Diagnosing and Managing Primary Posterior Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma is a common primary intra-ocular malignancy in adults. It is a highly aggressive cancer that can spread to other regions of the body. Thus, early detection and appropriate treatment are critical for patient survival. Currently, we cannot imagine modern oncological diagnostics without positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Although PET/CT is commonly used in cancer care, it is not widely used for eye cancer. However, as technology advances, more eye specialists are using PET/CT to stage tumors before treatment, to predict how patients will respond to treatment, and to monitor their progress to assess treatment effectiveness. In this review, we cover the aspects of this technology in managing posterior uveal melanoma and describe the advantages of PET/CT in providing better information about tumors and their responses to applied treatment. We also describe the role of PET/CT in distinguishing among posterior uveal melanomas, benign lesions such choroidal nevus, and other primary or metastatic intra-ocular malignancies. We also discuss the role of PET/CT in staging metastatic choroidal melanoma. As technology continues to evolve, the role of PET/CT in comprehensive management of eye cancer is likely to expand, offering enhanced insights into tumor characteristics and treatment outcomes. This article reviews the role of PET/CT in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring treatment outcomes in patients with primary posterior uveal (choroidal and ciliary body) melanoma.