Malignant Melanoma of Conjunctiva

1. Rules for Classification

The classification applies only to malignant melanoma.

There should be histological confirmation of the disease.

The following are the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories:

T categories. Physical examination
N categories. Physical examination
M categories. Physical examination and imaging

2. Regional Lymph Nodes

The regional lymph nodes are the preauricular, submandibular, and cervical lymph nodes.

3. TNM Clinical Classification

3.1. T - Primary Tumour

TX. Primary tumour cannot be assessed
T0. No evidence of primary tumour
T1. Tumour(s) of bulbar conjunctiva
T2. Tumour(s) of bulbar conjunctiva with corneal extension
T3. Tumour(s) extend into conjunctival fornix, palpebral conjunctiva, or caruncle
T4. Tumour invades eyelid, globe, orbit, sinuses, or central nervous system

3.2. N - Regional Lymph Nodes
See definitions on .

3.3. M - Distant Metastasis
See definitions on .

4. pTNM Pathological Classification

See also: Additional site-specific recommendations for pT and pN


4.1. pT - Primary Tumour

pTX. Primary tumour cannot be assessed
pT0. No evidence of primary tumour
pT1. Tumour(s) of bulbar conjunctiva confined to the epithelium
pT2. Tumour(s) of bulbar conjunctiva not more than 0.8 mm in thickness with invasion of the substantia propria
pT3. Tumour(s) of bulbar conjunctiva more than 0.8 mm in thickness with invasion of the substantia propria or tumours involving the palpebral or caruncular conjunctiva
pT4. Tumour invades eyelid, globe, orbit, sinuses, or central nervous system

4.2. pN - Regional Lymph Nodes
The pN categories correspond to the N categories.


4.3. pM - Distant Metastasis
The pM categories correspond to the M categories.

5. G Histopathological Grading

GX. Grade cannot be assessed
G0. Primary acquired melanosis
G1. Malignant melanoma arising from a naevus
G2. Malignant melanoma arising from primary acquired melanosis
G3. Malignant melanoma arising de novo

6. Stage Grouping

No stage grouping is at present recommended.

7. Summary

Malignant Melanoma of Conjunctiva T1 Bulbar conjunctiva pT1 T1 confined to epithelium T2 Bulbar conjunctiva with corneal extension pT2 Bulbar conjunctiva ≤ 0.8 mm thick, invades substantia propria T3 Fornix, palpebral conjunctiva, caruncle pT3 pT2 >0.8 mm thick or involves palpebral or caruncular conjunctiva T4 Eyelid, globe, orbit, sinuses, CNS pT4 T4 N1 Regional pN1 Regional