Axons in human choroidal melanoma suggest the participation of nerves in the control of these tumors.

Abstract

To furnish morphologic evidence of autonomic nervous system influence on choroidal melanoma. Histopatholgic case report. In the enucleated eye of a 72-year-old woman, portions of a mixed-cell choroidal melanoma were processed for electron microscopy, and ultrathin sections were screened painstakingly under magnifications of x13,000 and x23,000. The connective tissue of the melanoma contained macrophages, blood vessels, and profiles of several nonmyelinated nerve fiber bundles with a maximum of 6 axons. The existence of axons in neoplastic tissue indicates nervous input and/or output. This led us to conclude that the reaction of the melanoma is subjected to vegetative influences, yet to an unknown extent.