COMS

Purpose of the COMS


The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) is a multicenter investigation designed to evaluate therapeutic interventions for patients who have choroidal melanoma. Evaluations conducted in the COMS are aimed at determining which of two alternative therapies better prolongs the remaining lifetime of individuals diagnosed as having choroidal melanoma and, if two alternatives provide similar expectations of survival, to determine which offers the patient the longer cancer-free life and the better prognosis for vision overall. Currently, two randomized controlled trials are being conducted as separate substudies:

  • Comparison of enucleation versus radiation for tumors at least 2.5 mm but no more than 10 mm in height and no more than 16 mm in basal diameter;

  • Comparison of standard enucleation versus enucleation preceded by external beam radiation for tumors greater than 10 mm in height or greater than 2 mm in height and greater than 16 mm in basal diameter or greater than 8 mm in height if there is optic nerve involvement.

In addition to the two randomized trials, a number of pilot studies and ancillary studies have been and continue to be conducted by COMS investigators.


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