Malignant melanomas of the choroid and ruthenium applicators.
Fourty patients with a malignant melanoma of the choroid were treated with ruthenium applicators. Depending on the height of the tumour, the patients were divided into 3 groups. In the first group with a tumour height superior to 6 mm the results were poor as well from a functional point of view as considering tumour regression. In a second group with a tumour height between 5 and 6 mm the results were favourable concerning tumour regression, but only in 50% of the cases did the eye remain functional. The results in the third group with a tumour height between 2 and 5 mm were satisfactory. Tumour regression was obtained in 96% of the eyes; 86% of the eyes remained functional. Tumour related death (7.5%) was not correlated with initial height of the tumour at the time of diagnosis.
Huyghe
J P
JP
Department of Ophthalmology, State University Ghent, University Hospital, Belgium.
Verbraeken
H
H
Goes
F
F
De Wilde
G
G
Hanssens
M
M
Brabant
P
P
Van Hijfte
R
R
De Laey
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes