title: Results of high dose 106-ruthenium irradiation of choroidal melanomas.
abstract: The favored treatment of intraocular melanomas in Germany is 106-ruthenium eye plaque therapy. The Departments of Radiation Therapy and Ophthalmology (University of Münster) initiated a clinical study in 1981 to reveal the effect of high-dose beta irradiation (15.000 cGy to the apex of the tumor) regarding tumor regression, treatment related side effects, visual acuity, and survival. Sixty-seven patients have been treated since 1981. In 12 patients a second course of irradiation has been performed because of insufficient tumor regression or no change after the first plaque treatment. Sixty-five percent (44/67 pts.) were over 60 years of age. Twenty-four patients had a small tumor (up to 3 mm in height), 20 patients had a medium sized tumor (3.1-5 mm in height), and 22 patients had a large tumor (more than 5.1 mm in height). Fifty-one patients had a follow-up of at least 12 months. A total tumor regression was achieved in 34/51 patients (67%), partial tumor regression occurred in 13/51 patients (25%), and in 4/51 patients (8%) there was no change after the first course. After the second course of 106-ruthenium-irradiation 5 of the 12 patients showed total tumor regression, 3 had partial regression, and in 4 patients only an increase of the tumor echogenity could be assessed by ultrasonography, but no change in height. Visual acuity, which depends mostly on the localization of the tumor, was preserved at pretreatment levels in 72% of the patients. Two patients died with documented metastatic disease, one patient died of myocardial infarction. There was only one enucleation because of neovascular glaucoma.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D012428:Ruthenium