On 24 november 2021, J.G.M. van Beek will defend her PhD dissertation, entitled: ‘Uveal Melanoma: from basic science to patient outcome’.
- Promotor
- Co-promotor
- Co-promotor
- Date
- Wednesday 24 Nov 2021, 15:30 - 17:00
- Type
- PhD defence
- Space
- Professor Andries Querido room
- Building
- Education Center
- Location
- Erasmus MC
Uvea melanomas (UM) are rare tumors in the eye, which affect 6 to 7 in 1 million people. In about half of patients, the cancer will eventually metastasize, usually to the liver. Unfortunately, most patients with metastases still die within a year in the absence of an adequate systemic treatment. The development of UM and metastases is a complex process that has still not been elucidated. Between the low- and high-risk groups for metastasis, disease-free survival varies based on the different characteristics in these two groups. For example, we found that extraocular extension, growth of the tumor beyond the sclera, is an important predictive factor. Because patients with this extension developed metastases almost 6 years earlier on average, compared to patients without this extension. In addition, we report that genetic factors such as loss of chromosome 3 and additional copies of chromosome 8q correlated with shorter survival. The treatment of UM consists of irradiation or removal of the eye (enucleation). There are various options for irradiation and we have compared two different forms of irradiation that are available in the Netherlands. We compared the results of stereotactic irradiation (fSRT) (in EMC) with proton beam irradiation (PBR) (in Liverpool, The United Kingdom). Both treatments showed an excellent reduction in tumor size. Of all side effects after irradiation, only a vitreous haemorrhage, a haemorrhage inside the eye, was more common after fSRT than after PBR. Finally, we also investigated the quality of life of patients after enucleation or after irradiation (fSRT), with all patients experiencing insomnia, anxiety and impairment of physical functioning. However, the quality of life is not different.
The public defence will take place at the Prof. Andries Queridoroom, 3rd floor Education Center, Erasmus MC. The ceremony will begin exactly at 15.30 PM. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.
