Radiotherapy of malignant melanoma of the uvea with I-125 seeds.
Nineteen patients with malignant uveal melanomas were treated with I-125 applicators. There were 10 males and 9 females with a median age of 61 years (range 42-76). The tumour was located in the choroid in 12 eyes and in the choroid and ciliary body in 7 eyes. The size of the tumours was 7-18 mm in maximal basal diameter (median 12), 5-16 mm in minimal basal diameter (median 10), and 5.5-15 mm in thickness (median 8.5). The volume of the tumours was 123-1890 mm3 (median 540). All tumours were classified as large (T3). For the irradiation, a computer program, which calculates three-dimensional dose distribution of I-125 seeds in gold plaques, was developed. By modifying the seed positions, activity and the orientation, patients can be treated individually. Iodine-125 emits low energy photons, ideal for intraocular tumour therapy and tissue. Extra-ocular tissue located behind the applicator can be completely shielded by a 0.5 mm gold layer. The dose at the apex of the tumour ranged from 30 to 120 Gy (median 93). The treatment time ranged from 44 to 600 h (median 235). Preliminary results are good. After a median follow-up of 6 months, the tumour growth has been arrested in all eyes and in 10 eyes the tumour has decreased in size.
Heikkonen
J
J
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Summanen
P
P
Immonen
I
I
Tommila
P
P
Toivola
H
H
Forss
M
M
Tarkkanen
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes