title: Enucleation after argon laser photocoagulation for choroidal melanoma.
abstract: We report the case of a choroidal melanoma 3 disc-diameter in size and 1 mm in thickness located superiorly at 2 disc-diameters from the optic disc. Argon laser photocoagulation was done in 1977. No recurrence was observed for eight years. In 1985, the melanoma suddenly reappeared, invading the posterior pole and causing secondary retinal detachment. The histologic examination after enucleation revealed a spindle-cell melanoma. Considering the fluorescein angiographic findings, we question the effectiveness of argon laser photocoagulation of choroidal melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute S. Raffaele, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brancato
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Menchini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pece
mesh_terms: D001128:Argon; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012086:Reoperation; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001128:Argon