Risk of Metastasis
One aspect that contributes to the deadliness of melanomas is the risk of metastasis. Metastasis is the migration of cancerous cells through the bloodstream, which leads to the development of tumors elsewhere in the body. These tumors can cause tissue damage and other widespread effects which accelerate the death of the cancer patient. In the case uveal melanoma, the liver is the most common organ affected by metastasis, which occurs in 80% of cases [4]. Although regular metastasis can be detected, undetectable micrometastases may occur, in which a small collection of cancerous cells spread to other parts of the body via the lymphovascular system. Micrometastasis is a significant risk to all UM patients, which is why the patient should receive immediate treatment after diagnosis.