title: Current results of proton beam irradiation of uveal melanomas.
abstract: Proton beam irradiation has been used for the treatment of 241 uveal melanomas over the past 7 1/2 years. Twelve melanomas (5%) were small, 99 (41%) medium, 103 (43%) large and 27 (1%) extra-large melanomas. The mean length of follow-up was 21 months and the median 15 months. Ninety-four percent of the treated lesions with a follow-up more than two years and 65% of tumors with shorter follow-up showed regression. The most recent visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 47% and 20/100 or better in 66%. Ten eyes were enucleated because of complications (9) or continued tumor growth (1). Thirteen patients developed metastases from 4 to 50 months of treatment. Our data indicate that proton irradiation can be used to treat melanomas of various sizes and in a variety of locations, and preliminary results suggest that proton therapy has no deleterious effect on the likelihood of the development of metastases.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Gragoudas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seddon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goitein
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verhey
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Munzenrider
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urie
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Suit
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blitzer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koehler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011522:Protons; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D011522:Protons