Combined PET/CT Imaging for the Early Detection of Ocular Melanoma Metastasis Compared to CT Scanning Alone

Patients diagnosed with ocular melanoma consent to participate in the study. Combined PET/CT scans of the whole body are performed at baseline, three months later, and six months after that for a total of three combined scans in the first year. Subsequently, these combined scans will be performed at 6-monthly intervals for a total of two combined scans per year.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with a diagnosis of ocular melanoma (a pigmented malignant tumor) involving the choroid and/or ciliary body (the blood vessel layer in the back of the eye and/or the part of the eye behind the iris).
2. Patients 18 years of age or older.
3. Patients able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who refuse to participate in the study.
2. Patients who are unable to cooperate with or cannot undergo PET/CT scanning.
3. Patients who will be moving out of the area of UCLA during the ten years of this study.