Dr. John Mason discusses the investigation of uveal melanoma diagnosis rates in the unique population of Auburn, AL.

1. AUBURN UVEAL
MELANOMA POPULATION
John O. Mason, III, M.D.
Retina Consultants of Alabama
UAB Department of Ophthalmology
Director of Retina Service & Ocular Oncology
Fred Kam, M.D.
Auburn University
Medical Director

2. INCLUSION CRITERIA
• January 1, 1980 to December 31, 2018
• Documented Uveal Melanoma
• Student or Professor at Auburn
• Lived in Auburn

3. ASPECTS TO THE STUDY
• Participation of Patients
• Geospatial Evaluation
• Environmental Evaluation
• Genetics Evaluation
• Funding

4. RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH MAY OVERLAP
Dr. Kam:
• Discussions with Geospatial Experts
• Discussions with Alabama Department of Public Health
Dr. Mason:
• Discussions with Genetic Experts in Uveal Melanoma
• Confirmation and Evaluation of All Patients for Inclusion
Into the Study
• Spreadsheet Details Concerning Each Patient

5. AUBURN UVEAL MELANOMA POPULATION
• 33 Total Possible Candidates for Inclusion (4 Deceased)
• 30 Located and Have Agreed to Participate (3 Deceased and
Family Not Reached)
• All 29 Living Participants Will Participate As Well As Parents
of 1 Deceased Patient

6. PARTICIPANTS
• 30 Total
• 23/30 Students or Faculty
• 7/30 Lived in Auburn and Spent Time on Campus

7. DEMOGRAPHICS OF PARTICIPANTS
• 14 Females / 16 Males
• Mean Age at Diagnosis 43 (Range 30 to 71)
• Most Common Dates at Auburn – 1987 to 1992
• 24/30 Were at Auburn from 1983 to 1998

8. DEMOGRAPHICS AND TREATMENT OF
PARTICIPANTS
• Patients Were Treated by Multiple Ocular Oncologists, The
Most Frequent Being Carol Shields, MD and John Mason, MD
• Metastatic Disease Developed in 6/30
• 8/30 Had Their Eye Removed
• 22/30 Were Treated by Radiation (Plaque or Proton Beam)
• Patients are Currently Living Throughout the United States

9. NEXT STEPS
• Obtain Additional Funding
• Develop Protocol for Geospatial Testing
• Environmental Testing Would Follow Geospatial Testing
• Develop Protocol for Genetic Testing of Blood and Tissue
Samples
• Obtain Necessary IRB Approval and Consents from Patients

10. WE WILL TRY TO FIND
ANSWERS…THANK YOU!!!