COMS
Also written as: COMS — Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study
Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study - a landmark randomized clinical trial that established treatment standards for choroidal melanoma.
Full Definition
The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) was a multi-center randomized clinical trial conducted from 1986 to 1998 that fundamentally shaped the treatment of choroidal melanoma. The study compared different treatment modalities including observation, brachytherapy, and enucleation for various tumor sizes. COMS established that brachytherapy provides survival outcomes equivalent to enucleation for medium-sized tumors while potentially preserving vision. The study's protocols and classification systems continue to guide contemporary ocular oncology practice and are frequently referenced in treatment decisions and research publications.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize. May be used with or without 'study' - both 'COMS' and 'COMS study' are acceptable.
In Context
- "Treatment decisions followed COMS criteria for medium choroidal melanoma." — Oncology treatment protocol
- "The COMS study demonstrated no survival advantage for pre-enucleation radiation." — Medical literature review