TUMOR FLUORESCENCE AND TUMOR-ASSOCIATED FLUORESCENCE OF CHOROIDAL MELANOMAS

'Tumour fluorescence' occurs within the tumour itself and is inversely related to the degree of pigmentation of the tumour, whereas 'tumour-associated fluorescence' occurs within the retinal pigment epithelium and retina as a result of degenerative changes in these structures; these secondary changes can collectively be termed 'tumour-associated retinal pigment epitheliopathy'. Tumour fluorescence should be differentiated from tumour-associated fluorescence so as not to confuse naevus with melanoma and to facilitate the interpretation of angiographic changes after radiotherapy or photocoagulation of choroidal melanomas.