Are histomorphological patterns a predictor for survival in uveal melanoma patients with hepatic metastases undergoing hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy?

Introduction: In uveal melanoma (UM) patients with hepatic metastases, hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a viable, palliative treatment option. To evaluate the impact of two histomorphological patterns (spindle cell vs. epithelioid) of liver metastases on median overall survival (mOS) in UM patients undergoing HAIC. Methods: A retrospective analysis with 60 UM patients (29 females, mean age: 61.6 ± 12.1 years) with hepatic metastases was performed. Histomorphological patterns in metastases were analysed and classified as either predominant spindle cell or epithelioid pattern. mOS between both patient groups was analysed using Kaplan–Meier curves and the log-rank test. Results: In 73.3% (44/60) of the metastases, a predominant epithelioid pattern, in 21.7% (13/60) a predominant spindle cell pattern, and in 5% (3/60) other patterns were found. No significant differences between patients with an epithelioid (mOS: 14.2 months, 95% CI: 8.8–19.6) and a spindle cell pattern (mOS: 14.4 months, 95% CI: 4.3–24.5) were detected by the log-rank test, χ²(2) = 0.22, P = 0.881. Conclusion: Histomorphological patterns of UM metastases do not seem to be a predictor for mOS in UM patients undergoing HAIC.